Waverly council approves budget amendments, adds pay for canine officer and moves intra-fund transfers

Waverly Village Council approved a package of budget changes on Sept. 4 that increased pay for the canine officer, added equipment and uniform funds for public safety departments and moved money between existing appropriation lines.

Christina, who read the ordinance text, said in explaining the wage amendment that “the canine officer is paid an additional half hour each day of the week, 7 days, for care of the canine, totaling an additional 3.5 hours per week.” Council dispensed the second and third readings of Ordinance 84-2024 and approved the change to the wage ordinance for 2024.

Council also passed Ordinance 85-2024, which adjusts several line items in the fire, police and parks funds. The ordinance increases fire training by $1,000, uniforms by $3,823.28 and new equipment by $7,170.50; it adds $6,201.28 to police miscellaneous and $1,500 to parks. Council members noted donations and a grant covered much of the increases, including Moose Bingo donations and a grant for the fire equipment.

Separately, Resolution 86-2024 authorizes intra-fund transfers: in the sewer fund the council decreased chemicals by $9,000 and sludge management by $2,000 to increase groundwater testing by $11,000; several general-fund lines were decreased to raise fringe benefits by $12,500. Council dispensed additional readings for the resolution and approved the transfers.

Council members emphasized these actions use existing funds or outside donations rather than creating new taxes. The ordinance and resolution texts directed the auditor and staff to implement the line-item adjustments.

The council’s vote to adopt the wage amendment, Ordinance 85-2024 and Resolution 86-2024 carried at the meeting; votes were taken by roll call and recorded as passed.