Ashland aldermen approve budget amendments tied to sewer reimbursements and school budget

The Board of Aldermen approved two budget amendments on Oct. 7 that adjust the city’s annual budgets for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025.

The Chair introduced Council Bill 2025-38, which staff said was necessary because the city received sewer fund reimbursements that required adjustments to the adopted budget. "My staff report is in your packet," the staff member said, adding that the sewer reimbursement and an upcoming resolution involving the chief prompted the amendment.

After a motion and second, the council approved the measure; the transcript records voice approval but does not list a complete roll-call tally for this bill in the minutes. The board also considered Ordinance 1535, an amendment to the annual budget for the school year beginning 05/01/2025. That motion was seconded and the Chair recorded named votes including Alma Dunwoody (Aye), Oliver Ramcraft (Aye), Oliver Coward (Aye), Oliver Turner (Aye), Bill (Aye) and Omar Lewis (Aye).

Staff reminded board members of the upcoming six-month financial report review on Nov. 18 and outlined the budget calendar: departments will prepare materials in January, staff and the city manager will review and budget meetings will begin in February with a goal to finalize before the last meeting in April.

Both budget measures were adopted and staff will incorporate the approved line-item changes in the city’s accounting records and publish updated budget documents.