Council approves five interim budget changes including phosphorus facility and homelessness program staffing

The City Council voted to approve five interim budget changes presented by the finance director. The changes covered insurance‑reserve updates, a federal energy grant, capital improvements funded by donors and program revenues, a temporary staff position to support newly awarded homelessness grants, and increased capital and operating funds for phosphorus removal at a City facility.

Eric (Finance) outlined the items: an approximately $365,000 increase in the risk management fund driven by updated actuarial estimates and higher liability insurance quotes (to be supported by fund balance); a revenue‑neutral capital fund appropriation for an Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to retrofit downtown library lighting with LED fixtures; two Warm Springs Golf Course items — donor‑funded design amenities (fireplace and wood ceilings) and a $555,000 replacement of gas carts with electric carts supported by golf proceeds and carried‑forward major equipment funds; a two‑year term‑limited position to manage the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (HUD grant) and a Social Impact Partnerships (Treasury) pay‑for‑results award (funded from housing projects and special activities fund balance); and a $2.4 million appropriation increase to cover capital and operating needs at the phosphorus removal facility, including material disposal, basin replacement and equipment purchases.

Councilmembers asked about grant sources. Staff confirmed the Youth Homelessness Demonstration funding is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; the pay‑for‑results funds will flow through the Idaho Community Foundation and include a Treasury pay‑for‑results award that the city/community partners will demonstrate savings against. Staff said funding details and reporting requirements will be part of subsequent implementation work.

A councilmember moved approval of the interim budget changes as presented; a second was recorded. The clerk conducted a roll call: Morales (Yes), Nash (Yes), Seth (Yes), Willis (Yes), Corliss (Yes) and Holly Burton (Yes). The mayor announced the motion carried.

Below: Votes at a glance (each item was adopted as part of the single motion).

• Risk management fund increase — approx. $365,000 increase funded by risk management fund balance; reason: updated actuarial estimates and higher liability insurance quotes.

• Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant — revenue‑neutral capital fund increase for LED retrofit of downtown library (U.S. Department of Energy grant).

• Warm Springs Golf improvements — revenue‑neutral appropriation for fireplace and wood ceilings funded by multiple donors; $555,000 budget neutral appropriation for 60 electric golf carts funded from golf proceeds and carried‑forward equipment funds.

• Homelessness program staffing — two‑year, term‑limited backfill position to support Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (HUD) and Social Impact Partnerships (Treasury pay‑for‑results); funding from housing projects and special activities fund balance.

• Phosphorus removal facility — $2,400,000 appropriation increase for capital and operating costs including material disposal, sedimentation basin replacement and equipment (e.g., backhoe).

Council recessed for dinner following the vote.