Finance committee forwards grant applications, a zero‑dollar WPCLF loan and tax budget to council

Finance Committee considered several items of new business and public comment on building permit fees.

The safety service director presented an ordinance authorizing application for a $150,000 Edward Bridal Memorial Justice Assistance grant; the committee asked whether the 25% local match could be waived and voted to send the item to council without a recommendation pending staff followup.

An ordinance to appropriate YMCA scholarship donations was presented; one council member recused and the committee recommended approval and forwarded it to council, with an abstention recorded in roll call.

Wastewater staff presented a WPCLF application related to a leachate facility. The superintendent said the loan is structured as $0 (forgivable/pass‑through) and will require the city to encumber and pass funds through to the project contractor; the committee recommended approval and will forward the documentation to council.

On the tax budget, staff said the city was late submitting draft figures and must pass a tax budget and forward it to council with suspended rules so the county deadline is met; the committee approved forwarding the tax budget with the recommendation to approve and scheduled a public hearing.

In public comment contractors raised substantial complaints about newly revised building permit fees and the outsourced plan‑review process; councilors agreed to schedule a broader review and an August meeting with inspectors and contractors to try to resolve concerns.

Items will be considered by full council in upcoming sessions.