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Laramie Council adopts $610,505 budget amendment, funds temporary fire staffing and capital needs
Summary
The Laramie City Council approved a quarterly budget amendment that increases appropriations by $610,505, including temporary over-hires in Fire/EMS, capital and maintenance work across multiple funds, and transfers to cover city-building renovation accounting. The amendment passed 9-0.
The Laramie City Council on Dec. 16 approved a quarterly amendment to the FY2025–FY2026 budget that increases total appropriations by $610,505.
Administrative Services Director Jennifer Wade told the council the amendment represents a mix of new cash, reappropriated reserves and grant revenue. "You are being asked to consider an amendment that would increase the budget, in total by $610,505," Wade said during her summary of the packet materials.
Wade highlighted the largest single departmental change in Fire/EMS: a $318,620 amendment that includes a $170,000 reappropriation for an ambulance and $148,620 to temporarily over-hire three firefighter positions so staffing can be maintained while personnel are out on injury or sick leave. "This request is just for 2026 temporarily," Wade said, adding staff expect the need to extend into part of 2027.
The amendment also included a $667,729 increase in the economic development fund tied to an early payoff of a legacy project (the city advanced payment that the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance reimbursed), a $113,452 increase in the recreation center fund (including returned lease proceeds and maintenance items), and a $300,000 transfer to the specific purpose tax fund to consolidate a city-building renovation project. Wade said most increases are offset by non-city sources or transfers; she described some items as accounting cleanup tied to the new financial software.
Councilors asked for clarifications about grant matches and lease proceeds. Wade explained the lighting improvements are significantly grant-funded and that some lease proceeds are funds the city is holding and returning to program partners. Councilor Newman (finance committee) encouraged members to review staffing and overtime history when evaluating the Fire/EMS request.
The council approved the amendment by roll call vote, 9-0. The ordinance documenting the amendment authorizes the mayor and city clerk to sign and directs staff to implement the appropriations as described in packet materials.
The budget amendment takes effect administratively; projects and hires described will proceed under the regular reporting requirements to council.
