Edgewater council approves $17.7 million March midyear budget amendment, including ARPA-funded stormwater projects and 2% wage increases

The Edgewater City Council on March 3 approved Resolution 2025‑R‑03, a March amended budget that adjusts fiscal 2024‑25 appropriations by $17,655,298 and reassigns roughly $8.4 million in transfers to capital projects and internal service funds.

Staff said the amendment incorporates about $6.76 million in externally funded sources, including CDBG grants and other state awards, and uses $2,042,941 of ARPA economic impact funds, leaving an ARPA balance of roughly $1.8 million. The amendment funds multiple capital items and one‑time needs, including a stormwater canal armoring project with an estimated total cost of $4,150,000 (grant funds about $3,071,000 with a city match of $1,079,000) and a $2.1 million project to flood‑proof the wastewater operations building, staff said.

"The total budget amendment before you this evening is $17,655,298," the staff presenter said during the hearing. He listed general fund adjustments (special election costs, transport revenue used for fire bunker gear), increased public safety overtime projections, and vehicle replacements for the building department.

Council debated whether to approve the amendment as presented or narrow the ordinance to a smaller set of items. After an initial motion to approve failed on a first vote, the council recessed to allow staff to reprint exhibits that isolated the wage items. On reconsideration the council approved the resolution by roll call.

The amendment includes a midyear, citywide 2% wage increase for eligible employees (excluding the interim city manager). Staff said the $154,004.21 cost of wage increases would be offset by health insurance savings and other budget rebalancing. "The bargaining unions, police and fire, had negotiated to go back to the negotiating table just for wages," the presenter said, explaining the technical accounting and transfers required.

Other notable items added in the amendment include a $109,003.75 milling and asphalt driveway project at Whistle Stop Park, $61,814 for building department vehicle needs, engineering costs for a CDBG sewer lining project ($58,500) and a planning allocation for the comprehensive plan and land‑development code update.

The council directed staff to provide more public detail through a special meeting/workshop to allow additional resident input on the larger amendment items that were not strictly wage‑related. The resolution was ultimately approved by recorded roll call with all members voting Yes in the final recorded vote.

The council also approved related labor ratifications and midyear wage adjustments later in the meeting; those actions are recorded separately.