Committee recommends small transfers to cover fleet and health IT expenses

At a Budget Finance Committee meeting, members recommended approval of a resolution to transfer small amounts between city funds to cover unexpected vehicle repair supplies and health department IT costs no longer paid by a grant. The committee voted to send the resolution to the full council for consideration.

The transfers described by a finance staff member shifted fuel-line dollars within the fleet maintenance fund to a supplies line to cover "unexpected vehicle expenses," and moved a small amount in the health department fund to cover IT costs that were previously grant-funded but are now the department's responsibility. The staff member said the health department change was "only $5,000, so not significant."

Committee members asked only clarifying questions and then moved the item forward. A member moved approval of the consent/resolution; another committee member seconded, and members present responded "aye," advancing the measure to the council.

Background: finance staff framed the transfers as intra-fund adjustments meant to avoid service interruptions while preserving overall budget discipline. No additional policy or long-term funding source was approved at the meeting; the transfers were limited to the amounts and lines discussed.

The committee did not adopt any new ongoing operating commitments for the departments; the action was a one-time realignment of existing appropriations. The resolution will appear on the city council agenda for formal adoption.