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Council committee delays vote on resolution to 'lockbox' 50% of elected officials' office budgets
Summary
OCFO proposed transferring 50% of each elected official's office allotment into a disabled appropriation so newly elected officials start with budget resources; members asked for office-specific numbers and delayed final action for two weeks.
The Budget, Finance and Audit Standing Committee heard a proposed resolution to transfer and temporarily disable 50% of each elected official’s office appropriation so newly elected officials begin their term with funding available for staff and operations. Donnie Johnson, acting deputy CFO, said the approach would create a secured appropriation that is returned to normal use near the turn of the year.
"What this resolution does is it simply states that 50% of the budget for each of the offices of each of the elected officials… will be transferred out of their current general fund appropriation into what you could consider a lockbox appropriation," Johnson said, calling it a practical fix while LPD works on an ordinance.
Members supported the intent but raised operational concerns about how offices would meet existing commitments with half their accessible budget during the interim, potential staff impacts, and how funds tied to the council president’s office would be handled after reorganization. The chair asked OCFO to provide each council office’s projected 50% figure and to return in two weeks with that detail so members can evaluate effects on travel, conferences and events.
Member Santiago Romero asked how surplus funds tied to the council president’s office would be reassigned; Johnson said any transfer to a new president’s office would require a council resolution after the organizing meeting in January.
The committee voted to bring the item back in two weeks for follow‑up information; no final adoption was recorded.
