Tupelo council approves Budget Amendment No. 3, shifts funds for capital projects and tourism purchase

The Tupelo Regular City Council voted to approve Budget Amendment No. 3 for fiscal year 2026 after a presentation from city staff identified as 'Kim.' The amendment amends five funds, moves carryover general-fund revenues into the capital fund, authorizes targeted one-time expenses, and temporarily advances municipal reserve funds to the thoroughfare fund to close out Phase 7.

Kim said staff were asking to transfer $2,000,000 of carryover into the capital fund, to use $225,006 to clear fire-department comp-time banks, and to budget $40,000.65 for code-enforcement computer maintenance. The tourism fund amendment raised the fund ceiling to a maximum of $3,000,000 to cover the expected purchase of a property and associated costs; Kim said actual spending would be reported to council and was expected to be substantially below that ceiling. The amendment also includes $287,980 allocated to capital for a new liner at the EP (Elvis Presley) pool and a temporary transfer of $6,578,000 from municipal reserve to the thoroughfare fund to fund the Barnes Crossing Connector work for Phase 7; staff said that advance is temporary and will be repaid as the thoroughfare millage is considered in May.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the $5,000 line item for conceptual design professional fees and the designation of funds for future design decisions; Kim said the $5,000 is specifically for conceptual design and that further design funding will be identified after a design is chosen. The amendment was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote with the presiding officer announcing the vote unanimous.

Clerk’s minutes and the official budget documents should be consulted for precise ledger entries and any additional line-item detail.