Council schedules first reading for budget amendment to move contingency funds to arts commission and mayoral conference expenses
Summary
Staff presented Ordinance O‑1‑2025, a budget amendment to transfer $23,000 from contingency to the arts commission and $11,000 from contingency to mayor and council conference/ convention expenses; the item was introduced during the Dec. 17 work session for first reading.
The Mount Rainier mayor and council discussed Ordinance O‑1‑2025 during the Dec. 17 work session, a proposed budget amendment that would reallocate contingency funds to the arts commission and to mayor/council conference expenses.
Finance staff and Ron Wilson described two transfers: $23,000 from contingency (line item 5598) to the arts commission (line item 5555) to support an arts‑commission program, and $11,000 from contingency to conferences/convention expenses (line item 5530) to fund anticipated attendance at the Maryland Municipal League conference and related travel. The ordinance language was read into the record as the first reading; staff said the transfers reflect earlier council direction and commitments to the arts commission and increased council conference attendance.
City Manager Kamali and councilmembers discussed logistics and confirmed $5,000 already budgeted for an arts project; staff said the request will cover hosting and related program fees. Councilmembers agreed to coordinate with staff on procurement and RFP timing; no final vote on the ordinance occurred at the Dec. 17 work session because the ordinance was presented for first reading and will return for formal council action at the next meeting.
