The Council heard a budget packet to expand the Independence Together program by $100,000 in the FY2025–26 proposed budget: $60,000 from the general fund and $40,000 charged to the sewer fund.

Lisa Reynolds, deputy city manager and municipal services director, explained the sewer fund contribution during the presentation. Reynolds told council that sewer maintenance crews often respond to street trash—“mattresses in the street,” bottles, plastics and fabrics—that eventually enter the storm or sewer system and bind up intake screens and pump stations. She said keeping trash out of the sewer system helps avoid major operational failures at treatment and pump facilities.

Why it matters: The funding split drew a question from council about why the sewer fund supports a program that is not a direct sewer treatment program. Staff’s explanation was operational: street litter can become a sewer operational hazard, so the sewer enterprise bears part of the expense to reduce downstream maintenance and repair costs.

Budget note: The $100,000 expansion was described as a budget packet; council discussion at the study session did not include a formal motion or vote. Staff indicated the packet sits under nondepartmental budget lines, which is why it does not appear in the city manager’s department page.

Ending: The program expansion remains a proposed budget package and will be considered during the formal budget hearings; no final appropriation was adopted at the May 28 study session.