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Fife council approves first reading of Q1 2025 budget amendment ordinance; includes transfers for projects and reserves
Summary
The council approved first reading of Ordinance 2137, a first-quarter budget amendment that adds new revenues and expenses across funds, funds capital projects (including roundabout and multimodal projects), and establishes a $600,000 annual accrual for Fife's share of the SR‑167 project.
The Fife City Council held a first reading and voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 2137, the city’s first-quarter 2025 budget amendment, after a staff presentation by finance director Chris Anderson outlining new revenues, expense adjustments and carryovers.
Anderson said the ordinance consolidates adjustments made between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, 2025, and described new revenue and expense items across multiple funds. Notable changes he cited include a revenue entry of $15,000 to the general fund for an electric-vehicle charging-station grant; a $35,000 credit in the facilities fund (an intended transfer to the aquatics fund that was not needed after a roof project came in under budget); and a $800,000 entry in park acquisition tied to the splash-pad project (described as $500,000 approved previously plus $300,000 in change orders).
On transportation and capital projects, Anderson detailed multiple street-construction adjustments: a $500,000 Department of Transportation grant for the 50th Street/Eighth Street roundabout, supporting transfers from public safety and storm-drain funds for that work; a $265,000 DOT grant for a citywide safety project; an $840,000 award from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) for a 20th Street multimodal project plus associated local transfers; and a $269,000 grant for the 20th Street culvert project in the storm-drain fund. Anderson said the city will begin accruing funds for its contribution to the SR‑167 project by transferring $50,000 per month (equivalent to $600,000 annually) into a reserve.
On the expense side, Anderson called out a $20,000 expense for the EV charging work, a reallocation of a $135,000 public-works generator cost from the general fund into utility funds, and seasonal park staffing costs of about $9,800 in 2025 (rising in 2026). He also noted a carryover of roughly $1,000,000 that was invoiced late and moved from 2024 into 2025 accounting.
Council members asked questions about timing and grant strings on several items. Councilmember Holsey asked about timelines attached to the 20th Street culvert grant; Public Works staff said the award covers design work and that the city had requested funding earlier and was recently offered the grant. Council additionally discussed water and sewer rate studies; staff said a cost-of-service and rate study is forthcoming this year and any rate changes would be considered later in 2025.
After questions, Deputy Mayor Murphy moved approval of first reading; Councilmember Hulsey seconded. The motion passed unanimously with no recorded votes against or abstentions.
Why it matters: The ordinance adjusts multiple funds and directs resources to capital projects that affect transportation, parks and utilities. The accrual for the SR‑167 contribution is an explicit plan to smooth a potentially large future payment.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2137 (first reading) — motion: "I move to approve first reading of ordinance number 2137 as presented." Mover: Deputy Mayor Murphy. Second: Councilmember Hulsey. Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Ending: Staff recommended advancing the ordinance; council approved first reading and the item will return in future meetings as required by the city's ordinance process.
