City staff said they will encumber paving funds for the city cemetery, making $50,000 available in next year’s budget for paving and related site work. The discussion took place during a budget review when participants discussed line-item increases, project encumbrances and the status of geo-bond money. Staff also raised possible grant opportunities for historic cemeteries and the option to repurpose geo-bond funds if they are not used for their current purpose.

The immediate action is an encumbrance: staff explained that if an encumbrance is placed at year-end it “retains” the money so it carries into the following fiscal year and “would give him $50,000 in next year to do paving” at the cemetery. That amount was discussed specifically for repaving around the main building, chapel parking and as much surrounding asphalt as the budget allows.

Council members and staff also reviewed longer-term funding. Staff reported an available balance in the geo-bond fund and identified $150,000 that had become available after squad car purchases; they said “we've probably altogether got about $7,750,000 left that we're gonna have to look for projects to get done next year.” Councilors noted the bond money must be spent by 2026 and discussed reallocation if a project is not pursued.

Separately, staff said a local preservation specialist has offered to assess the cemetery for potential state- or foundation-level grant eligibility. Staff committed to share the contact information and follow up on grant options for cemetery preservation work.

Discussion vs. decision: encumbering $50,000 for next-year cemetery paving was described as a staff encumbrance action (direction to encumber from year-end funds), not a new ordinance or budget adoption during the meeting. Repurposing geo-bond money was described as a future administrative decision if staff determines the original project will not be used.

Ending: Staff will place an encumbrance so $50,000 is available for cemetery paving in the next fiscal year and will follow up with the preservation specialist about grant opportunities. Councilors asked that staff notify them before reallocation of geo-bond funds.