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Council approves $1.5M+ transfers for Board of Works, cemetery and fire capital
Summary
The Franklin City Council adopted Budgetary Ordinance 25‑02 to reallocate year‑end and reserve funds: approximately $1.3 million to the Board of Works, $100,000 to cemetery capital and $100,000 to fire capital; the council also discussed an incoming fire truck and plans to apply for a Community Crossings grant.
The Franklin City Council on Feb. 3 approved Budgetary Ordinance 25‑02, authorizing additional appropriations to the Board of Works and capital lines for the cemetery and fire department. Clerk‑Treasurer Jan Jones told the council the ordinance moves leftover and reserve dollars to uses planned for the current year.
Jan Jones described the proposed allocations: "We're looking to put $1,300,000 back into the Board of Works, $100,000 into the cemetery, and $100,000 into the fire department," she said. Jones said the cemetery funding will be used for road repairs and headstone work and that a pending fire truck purchase already has about $950,000 appropriated; the additional $100,000 will cover roughly $3,000–$5,000 in remaining costs for the vehicle and a few other items when the truck arrives.
Jones also said the Board of Works will use a portion of the funds for fleet needs and infrastructure; she told council there was about $687,000 left over previously in Board of Works accounts, and staff approved a second round of paving for 2024 that will use some of the money. Jones said staff plan to apply again for a $1,500,000 Community Crossings grant and that the transfers will be coordinated with that application.
Why it matters: The ordinance reallocates unspent funds and reserves to capital and operational needs in public works, cemetery maintenance and fire services. Council approval allows departments to proceed with planned purchases, road work and cemetery repairs and to finalize the fire truck acquisition when it arrives.
The ordinance was introduced at the prior meeting and presented in a public hearing with no public comments. After a motion and second, the council approved the ordinance by voice vote.
Council discussion was brief and focused on uses for the funds and timing: cemetery road refurbishment and headstone work, final costs on the incoming fire truck, fleet replacements, and pursuing the state Community Crossings grant to support street paving projects.
The appropriation enables the agencies to obligate funds immediately, but work will proceed under standard procurement processes and any large contracts will be presented to the council as required.
