Valverde council approves FY24–25 budget realignment to cover bridge repairs and timing errors

The Valverde City Council on Sept. 23 approved an ordinance amending the city’s fiscal year 2024–25 budget to realign excess funds to cover completed projects and timing issues.

City staff told the council the changes shift money from vacant positions and underused line items in public works, parks and professional services into accounts for a bridge project connecting city hall and the police department, replacement of a backup battery damaged in recent severe weather and to correct fiscal-period misallocations for software renewals and a September pay period. “To address a previous audit concern, city staff would like to realign excess budget funds to ensure proper financial coverage and compliance,” said Presiding officer (Speaker 1).

The council discussed a previously unaccounted $128,000 expense tied to extended repair work on the bridge and asked where those funds had been budgeted originally; staff said the amount had been associated with professional services accounts (attorney, auditor, engineering and inspection) and that the ordinance simply moves existing appropriations rather than creating new ones.

Speaker 2 moved to approve the ordinance and the motion was seconded. The council voted in favor with no recorded opposition. The ordinance documentation and attachments cited by staff list specific account numbers and the line-item moves that staff said will carry the city through the end of the fiscal year, subject to any auditor-requested adjustments.

The council did not receive public comment on the item. The ordinance takes effect per the dates provided in the adopted document.