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Public questions vehicles, Festival of Lights costs and a $20,000 recreation transfer; BA promises follow-up
Summary
A resident asked whether a $20,000 transfer into recreation funded a Festival of Lights shortfall and why only five police vehicles are listed in a bond-funded purchase instead of nine originally requested; the business administrator said he would investigate and report back.
During the meeting's public-comment portion, a resident asked for clarification about a $20,000 transfer into the recreation budget and whether the transfer addressed an alleged $63,000 cost for the Festival of Lights.
The commenter asked: "Is this transfer because the Festival of Lights, which cost $63,000, was over budget?" He said the town received about $28,000 in sponsorships and asked which budgets (police, parks, etc.) covered remaining costs.
The commenter also pressed the council about vehicle procurement: he recalled an earlier bond ordinance for nine new police SUVs, but said the current resolution called for only five vehicles at a total of $284,000 and asked whether the five vehicles would be assigned to command staff instead of patrol officers.
The business administrator responded that he would confirm whether the Festival of Lights ran over budget and would email the answer. Regarding vehicles, he said initial budget requests sought nine vehicles but availability and preferences from the police chief (a mix of Tahoes and Explorers based on officer needs) have changed how many can be obtained immediately; he said historically the priority for new vehicles is uniform patrol, and he would inquire with the police chief to verify allocation.
Council took the routine resolutions by roll call after the exchange. The administration recorded no immediate policy change at the meeting; the business administrator committed to follow up with factual details by email.
