Anderson City Council approves Ordinance 25-13 to amend 2024-25 budget, citing grants and unexpected revenues

The Anderson City Council approved Ordinance 25-13 on second reading at its first meeting in September, amending the 2024-25 annual budget to reflect grants, prior-year carryforwards and new borrowing.

Chief Financial Officer Margaret Martin told the council the ordinance increases several funds, including the general fund by $10,551,238; the capital replacement fund by $1,489,827; the sewer fund by $1,000,002.61; the water fund by $897,591; the stormwater fund by $540,007.84; the parks and recreation fund by $47,876; the sanitation fund by $10,118; the tax fund by $455,710; the hospitality fund by $15,000,211.53; and the transit fund by $58,248.

"Tonight, we are requesting final approval of ordinance 25-13 amending the 24-25 annual budget," Martin said, adding that the amendment brings the adopted budget into alignment with revenues received and expenditures made after the original budget was adopted.

Martin told the council the ordinance reflects a mix of grants (including American Rescue Plan funds), use of prior-year funds carried forward, hurricane insurance and disaster proceeds, purchase of the Fire Station 4 land and a building on South Main, the sale of a portion of the animal shelter, and debt service items that were not in the original budget, including limited obligation bonds of $11,000,000 and capital leases of approximately $1,500,000 and $1,300,000.

The council held questions and discussion at the first reading on Aug. 25, Martin said, and on the second reading moved to final approval. Council member Newton made the motion to approve Ordinance 25-13; Mr. Harvin seconded. The council voted to approve the ordinance; the motion passed unanimously.

Council members thanked the finance department for the work on the amendment. No other actions or amendments to the ordinance were recorded during the meeting.