Preston council transfers $388,000 in ARPA funds for Craner Field paving, adopts $42.3 million FY2024-25 budget and approves multiple land-use items

The Preston City Council on Aug. 26 unanimously approved a package of budget and land-use actions, including a transfer of $388,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Street Fund to pay for paving at Craner Field and adoption of the city’s FY2024-25 appropriation ordinance of $42,301,631.

City Treasurer Kelly Mickelsen told the council the ARPA funds had been held in the General Fund pending a decision on use. "The sum of the amount is Three Hundred Eighty-Eight Thousand Dollars ($388,000)," Mickelsen said, explaining the money will fund the Craner Field parking-lot paving and must be moved to the Street Fund to be used for that purpose.

The appropriation ordinance for fiscal 2024-25 includes a 3% overall revenue increase, a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment for employees and a 5% increase in water and sewer utility charges, Mickelsen said. After a public hearing with no commenters, the council read Ordinance 2024-6 once in summary and adopted it by unanimous vote.

Council also took a series of routine and land-use votes. One final plat, Nielson Estates #2, was approved; the city engineer said it meets minor-subdivision requirements and will not have a homeowners association because secondary water shares are specific to those parcels. The H & C Estates final plat was likewise approved; the engineer said secondary water shares will be turned over to each lot.

Attorney Lyle Fuller presented a first addendum to the development agreement for the Hillside Subdivision (developer listed in the record as Mckay Cordner). The addendum reduces the letter-of-credit portion of the surety bond and requires amended language in paragraph 2C to clarify that completed improvements are only the on-site water and sewer work. The city will also require certification from Public Works Director John Balls and City Engineer Tyrell Simpson and a favorable water test before accepting the reduced surety. The council accepted the addendum unanimously.

Jules Belyea of the South Idaho Council of Governments (SICOG) presented a Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement for a Downtown Revitalization Grant Project; the council authorized Mayor Dan Keller to sign the contract with SICOG.

Other routine actions approved by unanimous vote included the County Commission budget certification form (L2), Resolution #166 establishing the employee salary schedule, a refund of a 50% cut-permit bond for $170, and several business licenses.

Votes at a glance: - Consent calendar (minutes Aug. 12; bills through Aug. 26; 50% cut-permit bond refund $170): mover Chris Larsen; second Brent Dodge; vote: Larson Aye, Dodge Aye, Larsen Aye; outcome: approved. - Ordinance 2024-5 (amend FY2023-24 budget; ARPA transfer $388,000): mover Brent Dodge; second Chris Larsen; vote: Larson Aye, Dodge Aye, Larsen Aye; outcome: adopted. - Ordinance 2024-6 (FY2024-25 Annual Appropriation, $42,301,631): mover Chris Larsen; second Brent Dodge; vote: Larson Aye, Dodge Aye, Larsen Aye; outcome: adopted. - County Commission Budget Certification (L2): mover Terry Larson; second Brent Dodge; outcome: approved. - Resolution #166 (Employee Salary Schedule): mover Chris Larsen; second Brent Dodge; outcome: approved. - Nielson Estates #2 final plat: mover Chris Larsen; second Brent Dodge; outcome: approved. - H & C Estates final plat: mover Chris Larsen; second Terry Larson; outcome: approved. - Hillside Subdivision addendum acceptance (McKay/Mckay Cordner developer per minutes): mover Brent Dodge; second Chris Larsen; outcome: accepted. - Downtown Revitalization Contract with SICOG: mover Chris Larsen; second Brent Dodge; outcome: approved.

What this means: The ARPA transfer allows the Craner Field parking-lot project to be funded from the proper municipal fund. The annual appropriation ordinance sets the city’s budgetary authority for the fiscal year and includes modest revenue and utility-rate increases as well as an employee cost-of-living adjustment. Several minor subdivisions cleared final review and the council approved procedural changes to the Hillside development surety with required certification steps before reduced security is accepted.

The council’s actions were unanimous; Councilmember Todd Thomas was excused. Mayor Keller was authorized to sign items where noted. The meeting adjourned at 6:10 P.M.