City reports near‑balanced general fund after cuts and reallocations; $11,000 surplus under current millage
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Summary
After department suggestions for reductions and reallocation of one‑time items to surplus, city staff reported a balanced general fund for the coming fiscal year under the current millage. Staff said cuts avoided layoffs and maintained public safety budgets.
City staff presented an updated general‑fund budget on Aug. 8 that shows an $11,000 projected surplus under the current millage rate of 7.581 after proposed reductions and reallocations.
Laurie (finance staff) and Tom (staff member) said departments were asked to suggest about 5% in non‑personnel reductions. The staff review produced roughly $652,000 in recommended departmental cuts and about $96,500 in reallocated one‑time equipment items to be funded from general‑fund surplus; together the moves closed a previously reported gap and resulted in a roughly $11,000 surplus for a roughly $29 million total budget.
Staff emphasized they did not eliminate positions or lay off employees, did not cut police or fire budgets and tried to avoid removing professional development and required certifications. Laurie said the process reflects continuing adjustments as state revenue numbers and other data are finalized.
Other items discussed during the workshop included a proposed CRA‑funded coordinator position that would be paid by CRA revenues and an organizational shift that created a separate events department and reallocated communications functions; several commissioners asked staff to review whether communications should report to the city manager’s office given the public‑information role.
Ending: staff said the presented balanced budget is tentative and depends on final state revenue numbers; they will return with any required ordinance or formal action as the process proceeds.