Council advances first reading to appropriate $17.3 million in unanticipated FY26 revenues

Lewiston City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the appropriation of $17,315,900 in additional revenues received during fiscal year 2026, Finance Director and City Treasurer Amy Gordon told the council.

Gordon highlighted that roughly $14.7 million of the amendments are capital-related, including an annual airport journal‑entry to recognize FAA‑funded improvements and several enterprise fund carryovers. She said seizure funds tied to previous police investigations account for roughly $561,000 across three separate amendments that are restricted for law‑enforcement purposes — including a SWAT vehicle and training — and cannot be used for general city expenses. "Those are all related to the seizure funds that the police department received earlier this year," Gordon said during the staff presentation.

The council moved and seconded the ordinance's first reading and approved the measure by voice vote. The first reading advances the appropriation ordinance to subsequent readings required for final adoption.

The staff packet and Gordon's presentation listed a number of smaller grants and timing adjustments in enterprise funds (water, wastewater, sanitation and stormwater) that require budget carryforwards. Gordon said these amendments often reflect timing and accounting rules rather than new ongoing spending. "These amendments aren't necessarily unknown spending — it's just adjusting for timing purposes," she said.

What happens next: the ordinance will return for additional readings under the council's established schedule before a final vote to adopt the appropriations.