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Redmond staff identify $780,000 unallocated reserve; council tentatively backs $250,000 for managed camp match
Summary
City finance staff reported a projected $14 million year-end reserve and identified $780,000 of unallocated funds. Council signaled support for committing $250,000 as a local match for a managed camp if county and state funds fall short, while keeping most money in reserve pending legislative outcomes.
Redmond staff told the City Council they now expect about $14,000,000 in reserves at fiscal year-end and have identified approximately $780,000 in unallocated general-fund reserves. Jason (CFO/City manager) presented a list of competing priorities and asked the council for direction on how to use the newly identified funds.
The most immediate proposal was to contribute a $250,000 match toward a managed camp for people experiencing homelessness. Jason said the managed-camp setup is roughly a $1,000,000 proposal and that the city has asked the state for $1,200,000 in operating money for two years; the county has allocated $800,000. "We made kind of a quasi commitment of $250 to match the county's $800 for the camp," a council member summarized during debate.
Council members repeatedly emphasized caution about spending the full unallocated amount. Jason noted several other possible uses, including a traffic signal at 30 Fifth and Highway 126 (a $1.5–$2 million project with $500,000 currently set aside), purchase of ODOT surplus property appraised at $460,000, a Cinder Hollow infrastructure project with $2,000,000 in congressional direct spending attached, and capital needs at the municipal golf course and for vehicle/street preservation.
On the ODOT parcel, staff said they have a draft purchase-sale agreement and that legal review and further negotiation will be needed. Council members discussed whether the city could pay for the lights and later be reimbursed; staff said the reimbursement rules are still being clarified and that they will pursue discussions with ODOT and the legislature.
Several council members expressed a preference to reserve most of the $780,000 until more certainty emerges from state and federal sources. After discussion, multiple members indicated support for setting aside $250,000 for the managed camp and keeping the remainder in reserve "for now," with staff to return with more precise reimbursement and funding options.
Council also heard that Cinder Hollow's $2,000,000 federal allocation is subject to the federal budget process and could be delayed up to a year before funds are available, and that the gym/golf-course bunker repairs are estimated at $0.5–$1.0 million.
Next steps: staff will follow up with the legislature and ODOT about reimbursement mechanics for the signal and surplus land, continue to pursue grants for the larger projects and return to the council with refined recommendations before any funds are committed.
