Council hears first reading of 2026 budget amendment increasing some staffing and rolling over project funds

The council heard the first reading of Ordinance 2,841 on June 22, the city’s first budget amendment for 2026 intended to reconcile differences between estimated and actual beginning fund balances and to roll uncompleted project amounts forward to ending fund balances.

Finance Director Kristen Reed told the council the variance between estimated and actual beginning fund balances was “almost 2,400,000,” mostly driven by projects estimated to finish by year-end that were not completed. Reed reported an overall revenue increase of about $1,400,000—largely rollovers and grant adjustments—and an expense increase of roughly $2,600,000, leaving an increase in the ending fund balance of just over $1,000,000.

The amendment includes personnel adjustments: converting a media services technician position from 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) to 1.1 FTE, and adding a temporary 0.5 FTE administrative specialist in the finance department while a new financial software system is implemented. Reed noted that many items in the amendment had already appeared on the consent agenda and that this was the first reading, after which the council could ask questions or propose amendments prior to final action.

There were no substantive council questions recorded in the transcript during the meeting. Because this was a first reading, the ordinance will return for a subsequent reading and a vote before the changes take effect.