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Finance committee uses economic-development funds to cover downtown officers, cuts parks study allocation
Summary
The committee approved a one-time transfer of $86,502 from the economic development fund to cover a shortfall for two downtown officer positions and removed a $45,000 park consulting study from the capital projects list.
The Common Council Finance Committee voted to transfer $86,502 from the economic development fund as a one-time allocation to cover the shortfall for two downtown-focused officer positions and voted to remove a $45,000 parks consulting study from the capital projects list.
The amendment’s proponent said the two officers’ total cost in the draft budget was roughly $240,000, with an outside foundation covering approximately half of one officer; the remaining shortfall for the city was about $86,502. Committee members discussed whether the downtown officers support economic development by protecting downtown businesses and visitor confidence.
The motion removed the $45,000 parks consulting study from capital funds and redirected the identified economic-development dollars to cover the transient shortfall for these positions for the coming year. Committee members noted the economic development fund balance in the packet was $221,824, so the transfer would not exhaust the fund.
Members also emphasized the transfer was a one-time solution intended to provide time to evaluate long-term funding and role adjustments as downtown services and shelter transitions evolve. The committee approved the amendment by voice vote.
