Council postpones budget amendment to close $49,000 gap for road equipment purchase

The Alpine City Council unanimously postponed action Thursday on a budget amendment that would recognize the financing and place orders for a new loader and an asphalt “zipper” after staff reported an unresolved funding gap of about $49,000. City staff said the amendment would have recognized changes for routine airport maintenance and the recently approved equipment acquisition; staff asked for time to identify where the remaining $49,000 would come from before placing orders. Finance staff were not present in the meeting but had provided supporting material in the council packet. Why this matters: The equipment — described as a loader and an asphalt zipper — is intended to expand road-maintenance capacity; the council agreed to delay the amendment until staff confirms funding sources to ensure fiscal oversight. Key comments: Councilmember Stevens raised concerns about fiduciary responsibility and requested clear accounting for the three-quarter-million-dollar expenditure and the $49,000 shortfall. Councilmember Lucas moved to postpone the amendment until the next meeting; council voted unanimously to delay and asked staff to provide details about funding sources before bringing the amendment back. Outcome: Motion to postpone passed unanimously; staff to report back at the next meeting with the source of the additional $49,000 so an order can be placed and financing finalized.