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Middleton committee reallocates capital funds to climate-action study, radio console upgrade and other priorities
Summary
The committee voted to forward capital amendments to council that free up funds from a canceled battery project and a postponed B-cycle grant to finance a $200,000 Strategic City Climate Action Roadmap, add a dispatch radio console upgrade, and create a $175,000 sinking fund for a library sorter. The motion passed by voice vote.
The Middleton Finance and Personnel Committee on Oct. 21 approved a package of capital and operating amendments to present to the City Council, reallocating funds to several priorities including a climate-action study and radio console replacement.
Administrator Gatto summarized the capital motion to: reduce a public-works line by $25,000 to fund a $25,000 traffic safety screening study; add a dispatch radio console upgrade to the capital list; remove the B-cycle award because the grant will not be received (freeing $60,000); reallocate $200,000 for a Strategic City Climate Action Roadmap funded by $100,000 from a canceled sustainability matching fund and $100,000 from savings in a canceled battery storage project; reduce High Road borrowing entries by $120,000 (a relic entry); add $20,000 rollover to Graeber Pond restoration for a total of $40,000; and create a $175,000 sinking fund for a library materials sorter with funding source to be determined.
On staffing and operating items, the committee approved increasing a water/sewer office assistant from 30 to 40 hours (estimated additional cost ~$15,220) and funding one stormwater crew position in 2026 (estimated ~$96,000). The dispatch radio console upgrade was added to the capital side after staff warned the current system is approaching end of useful life; staff estimated capital options around $80,000 and noted ongoing software support changes in 2026.
Mayor (Madam Mayor) had asked for the $25,000 reallocation to ensure pedestrian safety improvements were funded while enabling a traffic screening study; the committee agreed to the change with one objection noted in discussion but no recorded dissent at vote. Committee members also discussed the library sorter as a multi-year expense and the need to identify a funding source rather than committing half the cost now.
The committee moved and seconded the capital motion and approved it by voice vote; the operating amendments were also approved and the meeting adjourned.
What happens next: staff will verify fund sources (finance director Bill Burns to confirm rollovers and fund balances), finalize the list for council consideration and return with any clarifying notes about rollovers and funding sources.
