The Lawrence Common Council on Dec. 17 was told by City Controller Terry Fauffer that Proposal No. 12 — an ordinance to appropriate additional funds and amend the 2025 budget — must be rescheduled because the controller’s office did not publish the required legal notice in time.

Fauffer said the appropriation will be considered at a Dec. 29 hearing and that "the correct number that is requested on the 20 ninth meeting is $828,000, not the amount advertised." She explained the office had advertised a larger, conservative figure to meet newspaper deadlines and to avoid under‑advertising.

Councilors pressed for specifics about the funds covered by the appropriation and whether the published $4.2 million figure had unnecessarily alarmed residents. Fauffer provided a fund‑level breakdown she said adds to $828,000: $102,000 from the general fund for council, $198,000 from the CUNCAP improvement fund for debt service tied to a prior guaranteed energy savings contract with Performance Services, $150,000 for emergency medical services personnel, and $378,000 from the administrative service fund for police building debt service.

Some council members said constituents contacted them after seeing the large advertised figure and asked why the public notice could not have shown a number closer to the actual request. Fauffer and staff explained that state/local publishing deadlines and Gateway/DLG filing constraints can require posting a conservative, higher estimate; she said the office will submit the corrected request for Dec. 29.

Councilors also asked about audit records and whether some 2024 expenses (including late invoices and payroll) were carried into the 2025 budget. Members requested a copy of the Baker Tilly audit and additional documentation before the rescheduled hearing.

The chair confirmed the public hearing for the appropriation had not yet been scheduled on the chair’s calendar and reminded councilors they have until Dec. 29 to review details and meet with the controller. No formal vote on Proposal No. 12 occurred on Dec. 17.