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Council discusses major/local street fund balances; proposes raising traffic services allocation to support safety projects
Summary
The administration presented major and local street revenue and proposed spending, including transfers between funds. Council members proposed increasing the traffic‑services line (for crosswalks, signals, signage) to support safety projects and match grants; staff noted fund balances sufficient to support additional allocations.
City finance staff reviewed major and local street funds and proposed allocations for the coming fiscal year. Major street revenues and fund balances showed accumulated reserves from state allocations; staff noted the city has flexibility to transfer funds between major and local street funds to address local priorities.
Key figures and transfers: The major streets budget listed transfers to local streets of $2.7 million to expand local projects. Major streets also budgeted for construction, repair and preservation, and a required 1% non‑motorized/traffic services allocation. Council members proposed increasing the traffic services line to $250,000–$300,000 (it was budgeted at $78,000) to support visible safety items such as high‑visibility crosswalks, flashing beacons at crossings, and pavement markings that can be used as matching funds for federal/state grants.
Council and staff noted that major/local streets have a combined ending fund balance in the millions and that using a portion for traffic safety devices and match funding for grants (e.g., Safe Routes / safety audit projects) is possible without drawing on the general fund. Staff flagged that larger projects still require engineer oversight and bid processes.
Ending: The council directed staff to consider raising traffic services allocations (major and/or local) to between $250,000 and $300,000 each, to support grant matches and safety devices; staff will prepare revised budget numbers and options for the public hearing.
