The Waterloo Finance Committee on Aug. 4 approved multiple budget amendments, including a $27,530,600 carryover for tax-increment financing (TIF) projects not completed by the end of fiscal 2025 and a $900,000 amendment to buy eastern raw wastewater pumps.

The committee also approved a $5,000 increase in cash-on-hand revenue and matching expense lines for Veteran Memorial Hall and accepted a project budget of $460,755 for school resource officers, funded in part by the Waterloo Community School District.

The TIF amendment was described by finance staff as covering projects that were not completed by the end of the fiscal year. The motion to approve the suite of budget amendments passed without recorded opposition.

Discussion focused on timing and need for the wastewater pumps. Committee members had earlier discussed the sewer pump purchase during a separate preauthorization vote and requested details on lead times and system capacity. Public works and wastewater staff told the committee the plant is designed as a five-pump system but currently is operating on three pumps; with three pumps the plant can move “about 47,000,000,” and a fourth pump would allow flows up to “67,000,000,” according to Jesse Gearty, collections director for the wastewater treatment plant. Gearty said the pumps have a roughly 22-week lead time and that one pump is already on order and expected to arrive late August or early September.

Finance staff also told the committee the $900,000 amendment would fund the eastern raw wastewater pump purchases and that the city previously approved a budget amendment related to this equipment.

No statutes, ordinances or other legal authorities were cited during the budget-amendment discussion. The motions were procedural budget approvals submitted by the finance department.

The committee approved all amendments in a single vote; the chair called for the aye votes and declared the motion passed.