Council plans to hear police and fire chiefs before allocating $4 million surplus

Councilmember Skinner asked that the police chief and fire chief present to the council at a work session so members could better understand public-safety needs before deciding how to allocate a projected $4 million surplus. "I would love for the fire chief and police chief to present to us at the next upcoming work session," Skinner said, adding she had attached supporting documents to her memo.

City Manager Kimberly Greer told council books are not closed on the fiscal year until late October and that surplus figures may not be final until December; she explained the city's budget policy guides allocation (60% to unassigned fund balance, 15% to capital, 15% to infrastructure maintenance accrual and 10% to the property tax stabilization fund) unless council gives different direction. Council debated whether deputies could present if chiefs were unavailable and whether inviting department heads conflicts with the charter; legal counsel said hearing department heads does not conflict with the charter. The council agreed staff will coordinate availability and begin a series of departmental briefings before final allocations.

The work session recessed for an executive session to discuss land, legal or personnel matters and later returned to adjourn. No formal allocation decision was made during the meeting.