Carlisle council approves supplemental appropriations, fund transfers and energy contracts; adopts floodplain update

City of Carlisle council members approved several budget adjustments, energy contracts and a FEMA-required floodplain update during a regular meeting, taking emergency action on two measures and scheduling other items for later consideration.

The council approved Ordinance 4-25, a supplemental appropriation to cover unanticipated city expenses, and passed an emergency resolution to put the funding into effect immediately. City Manager Chris summarized the supplement as covering “a furnace that needed repair in the police department, health insurance for an employee, expenses to outfit a vehicle for use as a school-resource-officer vehicle, 2023–24 audit expenses, and additional funds to study the best site for a future water tower.” Council voted unanimously among members present to approve the ordinance; Council member Bicknell moved to remove the item from the table and Council member Faulkner moved to suspend the three-reading rule before the final adoption vote.

Council approved Ordinance 5-25 to eliminate several legacy funds and transfer remaining balances into the general fund; the discussion centered on a small, unclear account labeled “CACIL.” Staff reported the account appears to have been created for debt related to the Carlisle Business Park in 2005 and now contains only small residual amounts (staff cited figures of about $22.60 and later “about 11,” described in the meeting as a small balance). Council voted to consolidate the funds into the general fund and adopt the ordinance on a single reading.

The council approved Resolution 10-25 authorizing the city manager to enter an agreement with an electric supplier for city-owned buildings and declared it an emergency to allow immediate contract execution. Staff said the supplier rates available through the agreement were roughly 7 cents per kilowatt-hour versus an expected market rate nearer 10 cents; a council member asked whether street-lighting costs (roughly $60,000 annually, according to a question raised during debate) would be affected and staff agreed to follow up with details at a future meeting. Resolution 9-25, authorizing a natural gas supplier agreement, was introduced for first reading and will proceed through the standard reading schedule.

On a third and final reading, the council adopted Ordinance 3-25, updating the city’s flood-damage reduction regulations and adopting the updated floodplain map “as required by FEMA,” as presented. The ordinance passed on the final reading with affirmative roll-call votes from members present.

Other items: Ordinance 6-25 (fund transfers and advances previously approved in the 2025 budget) was presented for its first reading; Resolution 6-25 (urging the Ohio General Assembly to join an Article V convention of the states) remained on the docket for further readings. At the meeting’s close the council voted to enter executive session under ORC 121.22(g)(1) to consider personnel matters.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 4-25 (Supplemental appropriations; emergency): Adopted. Motion to remove from table moved by Council member Bicknell; motion to suspend readings moved by Council member Faulkner; roll-call votes recorded as yes from members present; one member (Kilpatrick) was excused. - Ordinance 5-25 (Transfer of legacy/CACIL fund to general fund): Adopted on single reading. Roll-call votes recorded as yes from members present. - Ordinance 6-25 (Fund transfers/advances from 2025 budget): First reading; no final action. - Resolution 9-25 (Natural gas supplier agreement): First reading; no final action. - Resolution 10-25 (Electric supplier agreement; emergency): Adopted as an emergency; roll-call votes recorded as yes from members present; staff to confirm whether street-lighting costs are affected. - Ordinance 3-25 (Flood damage reduction regulations; FEMA map): Adopted on third and final reading; roll-call votes recorded as yes from members present. - Resolution 6-25 (Convention of States): On second reading; scheduled for third reading at a future meeting. - Executive session under ORC 121.22(g)(1): Council voted to convene; no public action taken while in executive session.

The meeting also included routine council reports—sidewalk repairs, public-safety vehicle remounting and paint scheme schedules, community events and a note that the Central Avenue traffic signal will go through a 10-day flashing period once striping is complete—none of which required formal council action during this session.