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Newman Council adopts mid‑year budget changes, adds in‑car police cameras and staffing
Summary
The Newman City Council on Feb. 11 adopted mid‑year budget adjustments for fiscal year 2024–25 that the city says increase projected reserves and add items including Axon in‑car cameras, two maintenance positions and design work for a new public‑works facility. The measure passed 5‑0.
The Newman City Council voted 5‑0 Feb. 11 to adopt mid‑year changes to the fiscal 2024–25 budget that city staff said will increase projected general‑fund reserves and fund new equipment and personnel.
City staff presented five exhibits showing six‑month revenue and expenditure performance and proposed adjustments to bring projections in line with current receipts. “We budgeted property tax for this year at $1,180,000 but will be closer to $1,360,000,” a city staff member said during the presentation. Staff also said they now expect general‑fund revenues to finish about 4.25% above the adopted budget and expenditures to come in roughly 9% below budgeted amounts.
The resolution approved the specific changes shown in staff exhibits C and D. Among the items added or funded through the mid‑year adjustments are the purchase and installation of Axon Fleet in‑car cameras for police vehicles, two public‑works maintenance positions, a promotion of an account clerk II to senior account clerk, design and mapping work for a new public‑works facility, and transfers from a community facility district (CFD) fund to the general fund to cover start‑up costs the general fund incurred while establishing the CFD.
Staff summarized projected outcomes after the changes: what had been a projected general‑fund deficit of $653,000 is now forecast to yield a $262,000 increase in the general‑fund balance, producing an estimated reserve of 56.3% (about $3.93 million) by year‑end. “Basically it means we could go almost or just a little over half a year without receiving any money in and we still have enough revenues,” the staff member said.
Council action: the council moved to adopt the resolution and voted unanimously. No public speakers commented during the hearing.
City officials said the camera purchases coordinate with existing officer body‑worn cameras and are intended to provide synchronized vehicle and body views. The budget change allocating funds for the Axon Fleet cameras was presented as part of the mid‑year revenue reforecast rather than as a standalone purchase ordinance.
Councilmembers thanked staff for the report and for preserving a sizable reserve. The resolution takes effect as adopted and directs city finance staff to implement the changes listed in the approved exhibits.
