Council moves $254,090.81 from stormwater fund to general fund to correct staffing charges

Converse City Council on Feb. 18 approved a budget amendment (Resolution 690-2025A) to transfer $254,090.81 in salaries and benefits from the stormwater fund to the general fund.

Lede: The action restores accounting and fund balance after four public-works positions were charged to the stormwater fund midyear in the previous budget cycle, according to interim city manager Lanny Lambert.

Nut graf: Staff said the positions had been reassigned to stormwater during the prior year and that moving them back returns the fund balance to the amount available for stormwater projects and the annual stormwater plan. Council approved the transfer so the money can be used for drainage, drainage-related maintenance and planned projects.

Details: Lambert told council the $254,090.81 figure represents salaries and benefits for four positions that had been shifted into the stormwater fund around May of the prior year. He said the mistaken coding occurred after the budget had been adopted and that the proposed transfer would place the positions back in the general fund; finance staff will implement the change and present the annual stormwater report at the next meeting.

Council members asked whether the funds remain restricted to stormwater projects (staff confirmed they are) and when the personnel had been moved (staff said May). One council member called the midyear transfer “illegal” in tone, and the city manager explained staff had asked questions about the change earlier but the clarification did not reach council prior to this meeting.

Ending: The council approved the resolution by voice vote; staff will present an annual stormwater report and a list of potential drainage projects for the restored fund balance.

Provenance: Discussion and motion recorded in the meeting transcript (item 9C).