Mayor reports sizable surplus, names committee to consider capital uses; council proclaims ‘Abby Potter Day’

Mayor Doug Farnsley told council the city’s finances remain strong and that after required reserves the city has an accumulated unreserved surplus (mayor estimated about $1,900,000 in unreserved surplus after a $1.2M reserve requirement). He said five factors contributed to the surplus — being under budget in police, legal, street maintenance and solid waste, plus higher-than-expected insurance premium tax receipts — and that the city had at times held about $3.1M in cash on hand.

Farnsley said he convened an ad hoc committee (Sandra Leonard, John Clark and Don Gibson) to advise whether some portion of the surplus should be set aside for capital projects. He listed candidate projects including a proposed boardwalk behind City Hall, improvements to US 42 consistent with the 2022 US 42 transportation study, evaluating ownership versus renting of street lights, and potential public‑private development partnerships. Farnsley emphasized that the committee’s role is to advise whether to reserve funds for capital projects; specific allocations would follow through the regular budget process.

Separately, council recognized volunteer Abby Potter with a proclamation declaring July 2025 as Abby Potter Day, and multiple council and committee members praised her service on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Parks representatives also reported on a delayed boardwalk repair and asked for 6–8 volunteers (with power tools) to assist in early August; Kids Fest was rescheduled to October 19.

The council’s financial reporting later included a staff summary of June finances stating cash/investments at about $3.5M, roughly $2.2M unrestricted after backing out restricted pension obligations and capital/road funds, revenues at approximately 103% of budget and expenditures about 4% under budget. Restricted road aid and capital project fund balances were reported as roughly $144,000 and $97,000 respectively.