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Budget workshop: Renshaw fees, remaining ARPA reserve and a proposed $30,000 continuation of senior chore program
Summary
At the April 22 workshop council reviewed Renshaw accounting (a $40,000 annual administrative charge), reported about $232,000 remaining in ARPA reserves (largely a tot-lot placeholder), and discussed continuing a senior home‑chore program with a $30,000 general‑fund allocation after federal reimbursement ended; staff also confirmed a $7.50 quarterly water fixed‑charge increase for residents.
Councilmembers used the April 22 budget workshop to clarify several budget items, including accounting for the Renshaw property, the status of ARPA funds and the future of a senior home‑chore program.
On Renshaw, staff said the city applies an administrative charge of about $40,000 to cover shared support services — work done by the clerk’s office, DPW and other staff — and that a $40,000 placeholder for a possible roof repair remains in the draft as a contingency. “$40,000 is pretty much ... what it costs everybody to do everything they do at Renshaw,” staff said during the meeting.
Staff reported that almost all ARPA funds have been spent or committed; roughly $232,000 remains reserved for projects such as a tot‑lot and the city closed out most federal reporting in 2024. Councilmembers discussed a previously reimbursed OLHSA senior home‑chore program: last year the city received about $50,000 in reimbursements for the program, but the county has discontinued that funding and staff proposed a $30,000 general‑fund allocation to continue a reduced program serving income‑qualified seniors.
On utilities, staff confirmed the proposed increase equates to $7.50 more per quarter for residential fixed water service charges in 2026–27. Staff also noted the city is still repaying a state revolving fund (SRF) sewer loan tied to a past sewer rehabilitation project; staff said the SRF loan currently contributes about $9 per quarter to rates and that the loan is expected to end in the early 2030s (staff to confirm the exact year).
Why it matters: These items affect the city’s available budget and near‑term priorities. Continuing the senior chore program without reimbursement would require a small general‑fund allocation; Renshaw accounting affects internal fund transfers and contingencies; the water‑rate change is a modest recurring cost for all households.
What’s next: Staff will supply final fund‑balance figures, confirm the SRF loan payoff year, and provide final quotes for City Hall work and any Renshaw repairs before the council finalizes the budget.
