Carlin council approves tentative 2024-25 budget; council weighs splash pad grants and USDA loan options

Carlin — The Carlin City Council on April 10 approved submission of a tentative fiscal year 2024-25 budget after a detailed presentation from City Manager Richard Braithwaite and a round of questions from councilmembers.

Braithwaite presented an updated revenue snapshot pulled from the city's accounting system and noted stronger-than-expected receipts in business licenses and building permits, including $30,000 in building-permit revenue from two projects identified as Love's and Terribles. He said ambulance collections have improved but still fall short of projections. "We are now sitting at a negative one hundred thirty-three thousand three hundred sixty three dollars (-$133,363) on the general fund," Braithwaite told the council, urging cuts or revenue adjustments to reach a balanced submission required by the State Department of Taxation.

The council debated several levers to reduce the shortfall. Braithwaite described modest fee schedule increases that "haven't changed since 2011" and estimated they might add about $18,000 if adopted. He also recommended directing available federal Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CLFRF) to the water project and avoiding an interim construction loan from Nevada State Bank tied to USDA financing; he said the interim loan would add roughly $283,218 in project costs. "If we knocked out the USDA loan, then here's where we stand now," Braithwaite said, urging staff to pursue reimbursement routes that minimize additional borrowing.

Councilmembers generally supported moving ahead with targeted capital spending while preserving flexibility. Mayor Dana Holbrook said he would not "commit to the City paying one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the Splash Pad" but supported allocating $500,000 in the budget and pursuing grants and donations. The council directed staff to refine line items, with requests for hour studies before approving new administrative hires and suggestions to reduce certain capital outlays where feasible.

The tentative budget reflects capital projects including water and sewer engineering by DOWL and several street paving segments; Braithwaite noted utility fund balances that the city could use for projects but cautioned about planned multi-year costs. DOWL will continue refining engineering estimates and staff will pursue additional grant cycles and federal funding opportunities. Councilmember Cameron Kinney moved to approve submitting the preliminary budget for the State Department of Taxation; Vice Mayor Margaret Johnston seconded and the motion passed.

Next steps: staff will adjust the tentative budget to reflect council direction, refine capital estimates with DOWL, and return a final budget for council approval before the fiscal year begins.