Commission approves first budget amendment on 3-2 vote; staff to update accounts and report back

The Tamarac City Commission on April 9 adopted on first reading an ordinance that amends the city's fiscal year 2025 operating and capital budgets, increasing total revenues and expenditures by $2,895,924 to reflect grants, project true-ups and other adjustments.

Financial Services Director Christine Gajust presented the amendment at staff's agenda workshop; the commission held brief discussion at the meeting before opening public comment. City staff said the amendment is a periodic "true-up" that recognizes revenues already received or secured (including intergovernmental payments) and aligns appropriations for projects and capital work.

During public comment several residents asked for clarity about specific line items. Commissioner Wright asked whether certain items (including funding for city liaison positions and the water meter upgrade) were part of the amendment. The city manager and staff explained that several entries reflect previously approved projects and that one-time adjustments were needed to complete procurement and installation for an automated meter-reading program.

After discussion the commission approved the ordinance on a 3-2 roll call: Commissioners Bolton and Patterson and Vice Mayor Keisha Daniel voted yes; Commissioner Wright and Mayor Michelle J. Gomez voted no. City staff said finalized account-level adjustments would be posted and follow-up budget reporting would appear in the regular financial reports.

Ending: Because this was a first-reading ordinance, the amendment will return on a future agenda for second-reading final adoption; staff will include a line-by-line breakdown and respond to commissioner questions before final adoption.