Bellbrook council ratifies intra-fund transfers to cover 2025 operational costs

The Bellbrook City Council on Oct. 27 unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-R-18 authorizing and ratifying intra‑fund transfers and advances within the city—s funds, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025, to cover payroll, overtime backfilling and other operational expenses.

City Manager Rob told the council these are not supplemental appropriations but movements of already‑appropriated money "moving either money from 1 fund to the other or moving money from other expenses to personnel," primarily to cover overtime and backfilling related to longer‑term absences in the fire department, and to reallocate amounts previously budgeted for capital to equipment and increased utilities and service costs.

The resolution cites Ordinance 2024‑O‑14 (the 2025 appropriations ordinance) and states the transfers may be made up to the amounts listed in Exhibit A and are authorized retroactively from 01/01/2025. Council members asked clarifying questions about the classification "other to other" (staff explained this refers to non‑personnel operational accounts such as utilities and services).

A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded; the resolution passed on a roll‑call vote with all members present voting yes.

The action authorizes staff to move appropriated dollars among fund accounts so the city does not overdraw specific line items before the 2026 budgeting process begins. No new or additional appropriations were created by the vote; staff said any future staffing or capital changes would be handled through the normal budget process.

What happens next: staff will execute the intra‑fund transfers as described in Exhibit A and will account for the movements in year‑end reporting. Council did not set any additional conditions or reporting deadlines beyond existing financial controls.