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EDA directs reprogramming of excess property‑abatement funds to subsidize energy‑audit program, retains $50,000 balance
Summary
City staff recommended right‑sizing the property‑abatement fund (Fund 7‑22) to a $50,000 working balance and using excess cash to pay for energy‑audit services (about $10,000/year) in partnership with CEE; council voted unanimously to proceed with staff’s suggestion.
Council and EDA members reviewed Fund 7‑22, the property abatement fund used for nuisance enforcement. Janice Gunlock, community development director, reported the fund’s cash balance at roughly $128,000 and recommended retaining about $50,000 to respond to abatements while reprogramming the excess to existing HRA‑authorized programs. Gunlock explained the fund’s revenue sources (investment income and owner payments) and the different abatement types (council authorized, accelerated tall‑grass/snow/ice, and owner‑consented abatement).
Gunlock noted a 2023 owner‑consented hazardous‑home removal that cost $32,500 and said one other property might require removal; staff cautioned they would not recommend using abatement money for a risky demolition if the city could not recover the costs through tax assessments or if the property might fall into foreclosure.
Council members discussed using the excess to cover an energy‑audit program run in partnership with CEE (budgeted at about $10,000 annually), possible transfer approaches (coding costs to Fund 7‑22 or transferring to levy), and timing so levy savings could be realized. Member Schroeder moved to proceed with staff’s suggested approach (retain $50,000, reprogram excess toward the program); the motion passed unanimously.
