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Council presses staff for clearer fund encumbrances as capital projects advance
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Summary
Council asked staff to show encumbrances against the general fund to clarify true available cash; council received status updates on the wastewater plant (final walkthrough pending), AMI project cost growth and the Grama water/wastewater schedule and water‑tower erection timeline.
Council members used the April 22 meeting to press staff for clearer accounting of available general fund cash and to get updates on multiple capital projects.
A council member asked how much of the reported $4.3 million in general‑fund cash is encumbered by existing projects; staff said the cash is encumbered and agreed to update financial reports to separate encumbrances from truly available funds so the public can better understand the city’s fiscal position.
On capital projects, staff said the wastewater treatment improvement work is substantially complete with a final walk-through scheduled for the following week. For the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project, council raised concerns over a reported budget overrun (the capital plan showed AMI about $533,000 over budget in prior reporting) and staff explained that additional work identified in an Amaresco audit, full meter replacements and commercial meter costs increased the scope; the city will return with updated contract documents once those negotiations conclude.
Council also received a Grama project update: staff reported that west and northeast utility work is done, the contractor is working on the southeast portion, the well is drilled and the water tower is on schedule for erection with groundwork and steel assembly planned to begin soon. Staff emphasized the tight schedule for completion and the need to remain on track.
Council asked follow-up questions about contingencies, vendor negotiations and coordination with hospitals for bypass plumbing during AMI work; staff said they would bring more detailed project and contract information to future meetings.
