Franklin council approves $414,518.64 budget amendment to cover Children's Services Act shortfall

The Franklin City Council voted April 13 to approve a budget amendment to cover an unanticipated need under the Children's Services Act (CSA).

City staff told the council the state notified the locality that a total of $414,518.64 is required for CSA services this fiscal year. The locality's share was listed as $163,803.41; the remainder — $277,715.23 — would come from the state, staff said. "We were notified by the state a few months back, letting us know that this was coming down the pike," the city manager said while explaining the amendment and the need to move local budget lines to leverage the state share.

The council placed the amendment on the consent agenda and, after a motion and second, approved it. "Motion passed," the chair said after members recorded their votes.

Nut graf: The amendment adjusts the city's budget so Franklin can draw down the state share of CSA funding and ensure service continuity for residents who rely on CSA-supported programs.

Council members did not ask for additional details during the vote; the director of social services was noted as present to answer questions if needed. The city manager said staff had reallocated local budget lines to provide the required local match without delaying services.

The council approved several consent-agenda items that evening; the CSA amendment was recorded as passed and will be implemented under standard city fiscal procedures.

The council set no separate public hearing on the amendment; implementation will follow the city's usual budget and accounting processes.