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Treasurer flags $231,018 in unallocated ARPA funds, recommends police vehicles and public works spending
Summary
Treasurer Susan Walker told Fairmount Heights council the FY25 budget totals $1,156,202; to avoid returning ARPA funds the town should consider allocating about $231,017.94 toward police vehicles and public works equipment or staffing, including possibly a bobcat, the treasurer said.
Susan Walker, the town treasurer, delivered the town’s fiscal update Nov. 20 and urged the council to identify ARPA allocations that must be encumbered before the federal deadline. “All of our money has to be encumbered by the end of this year,” Walker said, and described an available balance she cited as approximately $231,017.94.
Walker reported the town’s FY25 revenue budget is $1,156,202 and that the town has received $499,713.44 to date; operating expenses budgeted are $1,118,196.92 with $258,085.68 spent so far. She said the largest revenue source is property taxes and noted that the town had been temporarily operating in the red before the largest property tax deposit arrived.
Walker recommended the council consider splitting the remaining ARPA funds between the police department and public works to cover vehicles and staffing needs. “We really need 2 more vehicles for the police department,” she said, and noted the town also needs equipment such as a bobcat to reduce reliance on outside contractors for alley and lot clearing. She added that two town vehicles are scheduled to be paid off in 2025, which could free budget capacity.
Councilmembers asked follow‑up questions and said they will discuss ARPA allocation options in the prework session ahead of next month’s meeting so the council can meet encumbrance deadlines. No formal reallocation vote occurred at the meeting.
The treasurer also noted budgeted but unspent line items (for example, election costs are budgeted though this is not an election year) and urged prudence given winter preparation needs.
