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La Center council adopts 2025 budget with modest surplus and road funding plans
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 2024-15, approving a city budget just over $18.5 million for 2025 with a projected $59,763 surplus; budget includes general fund $4.8M, roads fund $7.6M, capital projects $2.6M, one public-works position and continued grant-seeking for infrastructure.
La Center’s City Council adopted the city’s 2025 budget (Ordinance 2024-15) on Nov. 20, 2024. The combined budget across funds is just over $18.5 million, with a general fund of approximately $4.8 million, a roads and streets fund of $7.6 million and $2.6 million in capital projects. Council recorded the ordinance’s adoption by roll-call vote.
Finance staff presented the budget and highlighted new and continuing priorities: projected total revenue just shy of $4.9 million for general fund operations, a $59,763 surplus in the proposed plan, continued reliance on gambling and other local revenues, a planned addition of one full‑time public‑works position, and multiple grant-dependent capital projects (including Breezy Creek work). “In total, we are just shy of $4,900,000 in revenue,” the presenter said; later the budget was summarized as showing a $59,763 surplus.
Officials cautioned that law-enforcement costs and contract policing remain significant line items and that some funds (sewer, stormwater) carry deficits or pending rate studies. Staff also described impact-fee receipts (school impact fees and a sewer lakecomer agreement) that the city manages as fiduciary receipts that will flow to the appropriate agencies.
Public comment at the hearing included support for fiscal prudence and requests for additional public engagement on downtown and Timmons Landing development plans. Al Phillip urged the city to live within its means; caller Kimberly requested a town hall focused on growth and downtown proposals. The council thanked staff and volunteers for the budget work.
With adoption, staff will proceed to implement the FY 2025 spending plan and incorporate newly authorized TBD revenue into the roads fund and capital project planning as available.
