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Pacific aldermen table FY2025 budget; debate centers on cameras, park lighting and Red Cedar project
Summary
The Board of Aldermen tabled the proposed FY2025 budget and scheduled a special meeting for June 24 after debate about adding funds for security cameras (previous bids ~ $95,000; board discussed adding $50,000), park lighting (placeholder $20,000), and whether to include a Red Cedar ice cream shop connected to a tourism grant with a $10,000 bed-tax match.
The Board of Aldermen on June 18 declined to adopt the proposed FY2025 budget and voted to table it until a special meeting set for 6 p.m. Monday, June 24, after several aldermen said more information was needed about several line items.
The budget (bill 5241) prompted extended discussion about security cameras and park projects. Alderman Cleave and others said an earlier camera bid for a full system had been roughly $95,000; members agreed to add a $50,000 placeholder to the budget to reduce the shortfall and to preserve the ability to pursue grants. Park lighting near Red Cedar and the reservoir were also discussed, with one alderman suggesting a $20,000 placeholder to cover power and installation costs across the bridge.
The board also revisited a tourism-grant-funded Red Cedar project that had included a proposed ice cream shop. Some aldermen raised operational concerns — higher labor and electricity costs for a hand-scoop shop, public-health compliance, and whether the grant scope can be amended — while others said the fund match ($10,000 recommended by the tourism committee from bed-tax revenue) would not come from general taxpayers. Debate centered on whether to keep the Red Cedar project in the budget now that the grant had already been accepted. No final decision on that sub-item was made before tabling the overall budget.
Alderman Cleave moved to table the budget to a special workshop; the motion carried by voice vote. The board set the special meeting for Monday, June 24 at 6:00 p.m. to resume budget discussion and to untably the bill. The budget discussion included staff clarifications on line-item allocations for parks, cemetery and city hall.
Next steps: The budget will return to the board at the June 24 special meeting for further discussion and a potential vote.
