A Jefferson City budget committee voted to approve three staff-proposed amendments to the city’s fiscal year budget and moved the amended bill to the full council for consideration.

The committee approved a request to freeze — leave vacant during fiscal year 2026 — a parks department program manager position, reallocating $74,078 back to the parks fund balance; to reduce the tuition-reimbursement line by $3,072 and return those funds to the general fund balance; and to correct a duplicated residential incentive allocation by moving $100,000 into central maintenance for repairs to fuel tanks and fuel lines.

Miss Perry, a city staff member presenting the package, said, “This would not eliminate the position, but would instead leave it open or vacant during fiscal year 2026.” She told the committee the $74,078 would be moved back to the parks fund balance if the freeze is approved.

Perry also explained the tuition-reimbursement adjustment: the $3,072 had not been removed earlier in the mayor’s process and the change returns those dollars to the general fund balance. Regarding the residential incentive duplication, Perry said staff discovered two allocations for the same program and proposed keeping $50,000 in the residential incentive account (general fund account 10990) while moving the duplicate $100,000 previously shown in redevelopment-and-grants account 10/05/1930 to central maintenance.

City staff and committee members discussed why the central maintenance transfer was prioritized. Committee members were told that inspections determined the underground fuel tanks at central maintenance were usable, enabling necessary line repairs. A staff speaker said the tanks “tested out fine,” and that without repairs the central maintenance fuel station would have to close, shifting all refueling to the Hyde Park facility — an outcome staff called impractical for large vehicles and emergency apparatus.

Council member Thomas asked whether reallocating $100,000 would hamper the residential incentive program in the future. Perry responded that the city will still have the $50,000 originally intended for the residential incentive in account 10990 and that the duplication had been an error; the central maintenance repairs had become a higher priority once testing confirmed the tanks were serviceable.

The committee approved the three amendments by voice vote. Committee members then voted to send the amended budget bill to the full Jefferson City Council at its next meeting; staff said they will present a substitute bill with the modifications and provide an accurate personnel schedule and an itemized account listing for reference.

Clint Smith, a city staff member whose last council meeting was noted during the session, received several farewell remarks from council members; those remarks were ceremonial and did not affect the committee’s budget actions.

Next steps: the committee will forward the amended budget to the full council with a substitute bill reflecting the three changes and the detailed schedules staff promised to provide.