Administration seeks quick first‑reading passage for Bobcat trade‑in and appropriations including $50,000 Raintree advance

At the Feb. 10 committee meeting, the administration asked the finance committee to approve first‑reading passage on two separate items: a surplus equipment trade‑in to offset the purchase of a Bobcat and an appropriations modification to cover employee medical premiums and an advance to Raintree.

Chair Humphrey summarized Resolution 2026‑R05, which would declare certain service‑department equipment surplus and authorize trading it in to reduce the purchase price of a Bobcat and accessories; the trade‑in value listed in committee materials was $11,175.53, producing a net purchase cost of about $70,000. Director Carr said the request is to secure first‑reading passage so the city can complete the purchase before spring.

The administration also requested first‑reading passage of Resolution 2026‑R07 to modify appropriations in various funds so the city can pay January invoices for employee medical, dental and vision premiums. Director Goodrich acknowledged staff had not originally budgeted the revolving health‑care fund appropriately during the 2025 budget process and said the fund is an in‑and‑out account; the updated total cited for the fund in committee was about $281,000, including a $50,000 temporary advance to Raintree required by contract. Staff said the Raintree advance is expected to be repaid by April and that Raintree remains profitable but was experiencing short‑term cash‑flow timing issues.

Committee members asked procedural questions about adding the Raintree appropriation to publicly available materials; staff and the clerk said the appropriation will be added by amendment at the council meeting and members will vote to amend the measure first and then adopt it.

Both items were presented for first reading; the committee recommended moving them forward for council consideration but did not take final adoption at the committee level.