Council hears first reading of 2026 budget amendment and approves $15,000 for parade security

Finance Director Kristen Reed presented the first reading of Ordinance No. 2,841, the city’s 2026 budget amendment, and provided figures showing differences between estimated and actual fund balances.

Reed told the council that estimated beginning fund balances differed from actuals by about $2,400,000, driven mainly by projects that were not finished by year-end and rollovers. She said the amendment increases revenue by about $1,400,000 (largely grant rollovers) and increases expenses by approximately $2,600,000, producing a net increase in ending fund balance of just over $1,000,000. Reed also called attention to personnel changes included in the amendment: increasing a media-services technician from 0.5 FTE to 1.1 FTE and adding a temporary 0.5 FTE administrative specialist in finance to support a new financial software implementation.

"The difference between our estimated beginning fund balances and our actuals was almost 2,400,000," Reed said, and offered to answer questions at future readings. This was a first reading by title; the ordinance will return for additional review and a final vote at a subsequent meeting.

Later in the meeting the council considered Resolution No. 1,881 to authorize Amendment No. 1 to the Chamber of Commerce provision-of-service agreement to provide additional funding for July 4 parade security. Parks Director Lina Hicks presented how the previously authorized $15,000 would be allocated: $8,500 for barriers lining the parade route, $2,500 for overtime to staff six additional city employees and $4,000 to the Chamber for hiring security and event staff. The council moved, seconded and approved Resolution 1,881 by voice vote.

No other budget appropriations were finalized during the meeting; the budget amendment remained at first reading.