Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Finance director briefs Lake Forest Park on mid‑biennium budget; committee lacks quorum
Summary
At a July 16 Budget & Finance Committee meeting without a quorum, the finance director presented a mid‑biennium report showing most funds at or below the 75% elapsed threshold, noted several timing‑driven underspends and one‑time adjustments (including a $80,000 levy amendment and transfers to a strategic opportunity fund).
The finance director told the Lake Forest Park Budget & Finance Committee on July 16 that the city is roughly 75% of the way through the biennium and most funds are running at or below expected spending levels.
“Everything’s at 75% or less,” the finance director said, noting the review focuses on accounts exceeding the 75% threshold. The presentation identified several high percentages that reflect interest income rather than overspending and said a 207% jump in the strategic opportunity fund reflects a transfer from an allocated fund balance by the action council.
The director flagged transportation capital revenue at roughly 38% because many transportation receipts are grants or reimbursements that post when projects reach milestones; the department expects spending to ramp up when construction begins on the roundabout project in early August. Sewer capital spending remains on the early part of a design contract (about 30% complete), so related costs are expected to increase as design advances.
Officials also noted one‑time timing items: a prior Public Works Trust Fund repayment was completed, and election/voter costs prompted an amended budget that added about $80,000 for the fall levy. The director said the city has incurred additional audit and hearing‑examiner costs that affected legal and audit lines.
On contracted services, the director described dispatch services with Norcom as tracking ahead of prior estimates and said differences stemming from a previous contract transition will be credited back on future bills. Vehicle replacement spending has been delayed in part by delivery timing; staff reported that an ordered hybrid F‑150 and several public‑works trucks are arriving soon and will show up in expenditure reports.
Chair opened the meeting but confirmed the committee lacked a full forum, so members proceeded informally and did not adopt the agenda in the usual committee format. There were no formal motions or votes during the session.
Next procedural steps noted during the meeting: the mayor’s preliminary budget is expected to be transmitted to council around Sept. 10; council deliberations follow departmental presentations and public hearings on tax rates and fees; the city aims to complete adoption ahead of county deadlines in late November.
