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Hermiston council adopts $6.7 million supplemental budget, funds aquifer storage project
Summary
On Jan. 20, 2025, the Hermiston City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 23 54 to approve a $6.7 million supplemental budget for FY 2024–25, including about $5.2 million to fund an aquifer storage and recharge project largely reimbursed by Amazon Web Services.
The Hermiston City Council voted unanimously Jan. 20 to adopt Resolution 23 54, approving a $6.7 million supplemental budget for fiscal year 2024–25 that reallocates funds across several city accounts and adds funding for a new aquifer storage and recharge project.
City Manager Mark Smith told the council "the total supplemental budget that's before you tonight is 6,700,000.0." The largest change—roughly $5.2 million—was added to the city's reserve fund to begin work on an aquifer storage and recharge project; Smith said about $5.3 million of the total supplemental package is expected to be reimbursed by Amazon Web Services.
Why it matters: the supplemental budget shifts money into one-time capital work and unplanned repairs while preserving operating allocations the city identified after adopting its base FY 2024–25 budget. Council members pressed staff on timing and revenue sources before voting.
Details: Smith said the general fund change is about $204,000 to a roughly $10 million budget to cover additional part-time staff in court and finance, and some reallocation of the parks rec manager costs. The utility fund amendment is about $727,000, attributed to emergency equipment replacement at the recycled-water plant and revenue from the first land sale in the South Thurman Industrial Park. The reserve fund adjustment—about $5.2 million—largely funds the aquifer project and a regional water backup generator; those items are covered by grants and AWS reimbursements, Smith said. Other smaller adjustments included a $21,000 increase to the TRT fund to expand local TRT grants, about $200,000 in the enterprise zone fund for a feasibility study on an indoor aquatics and wellness center, and roughly $62,000 in the IT fund for a vehicle purchase and cybersecurity grants from state emergency management.
Council discussion and timing: Council members asked when the aquifer work would start; Smith said the contract could be awarded in February, with initial work focused on drilling a well. On the recycled-water plant work, staff said the expense stemmed from emergency repairs to the chlorine building. After public testimony was closed, Councilor McCarthy moved to adopt Resolution 23 54; Councilor Barone seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The council will incorporate the supplemental budget changes into the city’s accounting and project schedules; several projects funded in this supplemental budget require subsequent procurement actions and contract awards to proceed.
