DeBary council amends FY 2024–25 budget, approves intra‑fund loan to smooth capital cash flow
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Summary
City Council unanimously approved Resolution 2025‑02, adjusting the FY24–25 budget to carry forward projects, add hurricane expenses and authorize a $250,000 general‑fund loan to a capital project fund to avoid negative cash during reimbursement timing.
The City of DeBary City Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2025‑02 on a motion to amend the fiscal year 2024–25 budget, adding carry forwards, project appropriations and a $250,000 intra‑fund loan to prevent cash‑flow issues in a capital project fund.
Finance Director Liz Bauer presented the amendment, saying the city is carrying forward roughly $2.5 million in unassigned general‑fund balance and adding several specific projects to fiscal 2025. She told council the loan is intended to prevent a negative cash position in Fund 310 while the city incurs costs and later requests reimbursement from grantors.
The nut graf: The amendment combines closeouts from FY24 with known ongoing projects ahead of the new fiscal year, and includes hurricane response costs and grants that change revenue and expenditure timing. Council members framed the intra‑fund loan as a short‑term cash management step to be repaid when reimbursements arrive.
Bauer detailed several notable carry forwards and additions: about $250,000 to complete the Duke Energy property purchase near Rob Sullivan Park, a $65,900 match for a Safe Streets for All grant, the SunTrail grant with revenue and slightly higher expenditures, CDBG grants for Bill Keller Park Pavilion and Florence K Little entrance improvements, and estimated hurricane Milton costs of about $1,400,000. She said the stormwater fund carry forward totals about $1 million, including a $775,000 James Pond construction item and two grants (resiliency and FDEP pipe relining). Bauer also said some ARPA funds remain encumbered for previously approved contracts.
Council members asked clarifying questions about the budget line for outfitting the new fire station and a separate $81,000 vehicle purchase for a new deputy chief. City Manager Carmen Rosamondo said the vehicle requirement emerged from finalizing the station project and that the $81,000 will be paid from savings plus reserves; councilmembers asked that such items be flagged earlier in future budget amendments.
The motion to approve Resolution 2025‑02 passed 5–0 (Vice Mayor Butland; Council members Papalardo, Sell, Stevenson; Mayor Chasse all voting yes).
The amendment also included a provision to loan $250,000 from the general fund to Fund 310 to cover timing differences on the Fort Florida Road bridge project, which is funded by an FDEP grant administered through St. Johns River Water Management District and other local matches. Finance staff said Fund 310 will repay general fund when reimbursements are received.
Councilmembers praised Finance Director Liz Bauer and the finance team for detailed tracking and transparency during the discussion.
Ending: The council approved the amendment after a brief public comment period with no speakers on the item and moved on to related items on the agenda.
