Three Forks council adopts budget amendment, levies assessments and approves preliminary budget

The Three Forks City Council approved multiple budget-related resolutions on July 23, including a fiscal-year amendment and levied assessments for street lighting and maintenance districts, then adopted a preliminary budget for FY2024-25.

Council President Gene Townsend read Resolution #422-2024, which amends the FY2023-24 budget to acknowledge unanticipated revenues and increase appropriations; Councilwoman Roxi McDermott moved to approve and the motion passed 5:0. Treasurer Kelly Smith told the council this represented the fewest budget amendments she has seen while employed by the city.

The council then adopted and levied assessments for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Street Lighting District #1 (Resolution #423-2024). City Clerk Crystal Turner noted that Gallatin County maintains the assessment roll and the resolution will be forwarded to the Gallatin County Treasurer to apportion charges based on parcel square footage or linear footage, as applicable. The motion to approve passed 5:0.

Resolutions adopting assessments for Street Maintenance District #1 (Resolution #424-2024) and Street Maintenance District #2 (Ridge View Subdivision) (Resolution #425-2024) were each read, discussed briefly and approved 5:0; Townsend explained the Ridge View assessment is calculated by linear footage because lot sizes there are larger.

Finally, the council read and approved the preliminary FY2024-25 budget (Resolution #426-2024). Kelly Smith said the preliminary budget incorporates last year’s budget with limited adjustments, noted the inclusion of the recently purchased vehicle and the vac truck moved forward from a prior year, and provided copies of exhibits for council review.

All budget and assessment resolutions passed by recorded motion and unanimous votes indicated as 5:0 in the minutes. The approvals set assessment levies and advanced the city into the next budget development stage.