Council hears first reading of 2025 budget supplement; mosquito control and zebra mussel equipment among requests

The Watertown City Council received a first reading of an ordinance on Aug. 18 to supplement the 2025 budget for several city funds. Finance Officer Kristin Bobzine told the council most line items had been previously approved at other meetings; three items required supplemental appropriation at this time: - Police equipment maintenance/training: funded with state drug fund receipts; staff said these expenditures were on the expenditure side and backed by state funds. - Mosquito control: a $20,000 supplement to the mosquito control line item; staff noted rising material costs for spraying and the city's wastewater team has recorded a record 17 West Nile detections this season, supporting ongoing mosquito abatement efforts. - Park and Recreation (golf course): $13,900 for acid injection equipment to fight zebra mussels. This was the ordinance's first reading; no motion or vote is required until second reading. Finance Officer Bobzine said the second reading will occur at the council's next meeting and that additional mosquito funds could be needed later in the year depending on costs. Discussion vs. decision Discussion only: council asked about past state funding levels for mosquito control and how potential additional need would be covered (staff said additional amounts would be covered from unrestricted cash if necessary). Direction/assignment: none beyond the usual budget process; staff will return for second reading with the ordinance that supplements the 2025 budget. Formal action: first reading only; no appropriation adopted at this meeting.