Council amends 2025 appropriations after contested $25,000 transfer amendment fails

Mentor-on-the-Lake — Council debated multiple line‑item changes to the 2025 appropriations ordinance on Dec. 4, including a contested proposal to remove a $25,000 transfer from the Street Construction, Maintenance and Repair Fund.

Council reviewed a memo from staff outlining proposed amendments. A correction was proposed to the February State Highway Fund appropriation (from $113,500 to $118,500) and was moved and seconded. Separately, Councilmember Wong moved to remove a $25,000 transfer listed under the 231 Street Construction, Maintenance and Repair Fund on the grounds that the transfer had been struck in a prior March ordinance and should not have reappeared in a later amendment. That motion (to remove the $25,000) was seconded by Missus Thompson; council debated whether the amount had been accounted for elsewhere and whether its placement in the ordinance affected tracking and reporting.

On roll call the amendment to remove the $25,000 failed (the clerk recorded a majority of 'no' votes). After further discussion and a package amendment presented by the administrative director, council voted to suspend the rules and then to approve the appropriations ordinance as amended by roll call.

What it means: The appropriations adjustments include numeric corrections and reallocation changes recorded in the clerk’s memo; the defeated $25,000 removal leaves the transfer in the ordinance as presented, pending further accounting or future corrections. Council directed that amendments be handled individually to ensure clarity of record.

The clerk’s record shows the motions, the failed roll call on the $25,000 amendment, and the subsequent passage of Ordinance 2025‑O‑27 as amended.