Suffolk board approves reappropriation to cover buses, fleet trucks and sinkhole costs
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Summary
The board approved a request to seek city reappropriation of about $1.75 million to cover contractual bus and white-fleet vehicle purchases and to address sinkhole remediation costs that have exceeded the city's set-aside, and also approved a summer-school budget transfer to close an $18,897.29 deficit.
The Suffolk City School Board voted Nov. 13 to request a city reappropriation that will allow the division to pay for previously contracted buses and fleet vehicles and to cover additional sinkhole remediation costs.
Superintendent Dr. Gordon told the board that in June 2024 Suffolk Public Schools contracted with Sonny Merriman for eight 65-passenger buses and with Hall Automotive for three white-fleet trucks. "The delivery date for that is now estimated by Sonny Merriman to be December 2025," Dr. Gordon said. He reported purchase-order totals and said the district requested that Suffolk City Council reappropriate about $1.75 million so the division could meet those contractual obligations and address sinkhole expenditures that have exceeded the city's set-aside.
The board moved and approved the reappropriation request. Separately, the board approved a budget transfer to close a $18,897.29 deficit in this year's summer-school accounts by moving funds from other summer-series and extended-year lines; Dr. Gordon enumerated the line-item transfers during the discussion.
During votes on bills and payroll for Oct. 31 the board recorded two "no" votes from members who cited concerns (Breedingham and Slingluff) but the motion passed. The board recorded roll-call votes for the budget items prior to approving them.
The reappropriation requires action by the Suffolk City Council to transfer the funds for the 2025'—26 fiscal year; the board noted the request was timed so city council could act and the funds could be available for contracted obligations.