Belmont council approves fire-truck financing and budget amendment, pays tribute to late Mayor Turner

The Belmont City Council approved two consent items Aug. 5: a proposed 10-year financing contract for fire apparatus and a budget amendment to address fiscal-year deficits and permit auditors to proceed.

City Manager Miles Brell told the council the financing contract (B1) is a 10-year loan with a principal of $2.6 million to acquire fire apparatus; the interest rate was presented in the record at about 4.23 percent. Item B2 is a budget amendment that recognizes excess revenue overall but addresses shortfalls in general fund departments including administration, police, fire and recreation so auditors can perform the fiscal-year audit.

Councilmember Alex moved to approve the consent agenda; Councilmember Charlie seconded the motion, which the presiding officer declared approved on a voice vote.

The meeting opened with a public acknowledgment that Mayor Richard Turner had died suddenly the previous week. Councilmembers used the other-business portion of the agenda to offer tributes and condolences to Turner's wife, Marie, and the couple's three children. Alex called Turner a community-focused leader who "always put the residents of Belmont first." Councilmember Charlie described Turner as "a mentor" and several members recounted attending the funeral and procession, thanking police, fire and other staff for their support.

Former council member Mark Seinger also came to the mic to remember Turner and thanked city staff and first responders for organizing the procession and funeral services.

Next steps: auditors are expected to proceed with audit work after the budget amendment is finalized; council will resume deferred workshop business at the August workshop.