Finance committee recommends amended appropriations to cover land bank, grants, grants reimbursements and program wrap-ups

The Finance Committee recommended Ordinance 25-93, a multi-line amended appropriations ordinance that adjusts several funds and expenditures.

Finance Director Jenny Esarey said the ordinance uses carry-over funds from the general fund to support land reutilization following previously authorized land sales through the land bank; by statute the city can retain remaining balances after accounting for sale proceeds, past-due taxes and administrative costs for future related expenses. Economic Development Director Tom Jordan is handling properties in the land bank and council previously approved listing some properties with a broker.

Esarey said the amendment will also reimburse HIDTA overtime expenditures from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund because the department has reached its current budget for the year. She said inspection and coordination costs for the Abbey Road and Akins Road projects were not incorporated into the original GPD budget; those are being offset by an unexpected reimbursement received for the Bennett Road walking path. Esarey added the Fire Chief has not yet expended the full SCBA FEMA grant; the amendment would allow remaining SCBA purchases to be completed. She explained adjustments at the Office on Aging and final invoicing for a diversion program (three participants) are included, and a sewer tax collected in error will be refunded from the 553 fund.

Committee action: Motion to recommend Ordinance 25-93 moved by Paul Marnecheck and seconded by Linda Barath; vote: Yeas: 3. Nays: 0. The ordinance was recommended to full Council; amounts for each line-item were not specified during the discussion in the committee minutes.