Council preview: budget amendments move projects within capital and general funds; tactical shields to be purchased with state seizure funds

Interim Finance Director Amanda Long reviewed budget amendments that would reclassify projects and move funding between capital and maintenance budgets and use state seizure funds for equipment purchases.

Long said Pine Mountain will discontinue a water wheel and an HVAC replacement and reallocate those amounts toward an exit bridge and a viewing platform. Items 156–159 would move a fitness room flooring project from capital to maintenance and repair (reducing capital spending by $15,000, with the total flooring cost estimated at $18,000 and $3,000 to be covered from operating funds). Items 160–163 would reclassify park picnic table replacements from capital to maintenance so accessible tables can be ordered. Finally, Long said the police department plans to purchase tactical shields using state seizure funds.

Councilman McCoy asked about the line‑item presentation and why the amendment appeared to show decreases and increases across multiple funds. Long explained the accounting: some lines affect the capital project fund (reducing expenditure and transfer‑in) while others place funds into general fund expense accounts, meaning the aggregate appears uneven when viewed by line rather than by fund.

No formal vote occurred in the work session. The items will be considered on the council agenda; staff recommended making one of the items a consent agenda item. Long said the tactical shield purchase will be funded from state seizure proceeds and that the city will request reimbursement for the grant‑funded Safe Streets work separately in different items.