Lawrence City Council delays multiple year-end revolving-fund reauthorizations after repeated tabling votes

The Lawrence City Council delayed final votes on multiple year-end revolving-fund reauthorizations at its most recent session, repeatedly using motions to table items that city staff said fund activities not covered in the general operating budget.

Councilors debated reauthorizations for Bellevue Cemetery, the Council on Aging (senior services), recreation and parks, Veterans Memorial Stadium, library programs, PEG access and DPW recycling revolving accounts. Several approval motions failed or were withdrawn; by the end of the discussion the council had tabled most of the items for later consideration.

Why it matters: the reauthorizations set maximum expenditure or carry-forward limits for departmental revolving funds that departments use for program activities outside the general budget. Staff told the council the funds pay for services such as senior-center activities, summer recreation programs and library services; delaying votes could affect budgets and program planning as the fiscal year ends.

The council opened discussion on Item 2-36-25, the reauthorization of the Bellevue Cemetery revolving fund with an expenditure limit of $95,000. Councilor LaPlante pressed colleagues for an explanation of repeated tabling, saying, “I don’t know why we’re making motions to table... we should have a fundamental understanding as to why we’re delaying the votes.”

City staff reported the cemetery had not spent the full $95,000 cap in fiscal 2025; a finance report cited in the meeting showed about $80,000 in expenditures for FY25. An initial motion to approve the cemetery item failed on roll call (2 yes, 5 no, 2 absent). After a motion to reconsider, the council later voted to table the item (the table motion…