Council hears budget timeline, revenue strategies and audit completion

City council received an update on the city’s fiscal calendar and recent financial actions, including a new public-safety charge on utility bills and the completion of the FY25 audit.

Council members and staff were briefed that final budget materials are due in late March and that the council will review the proposed budget in April. Committee meetings were described as occurring in late April and into May if needed; staff said the budget book will be distributed in April and that questions on the calendar are welcome.

The finance briefing summarized revenue strategies adopted last year and highlighted two fee changes moving forward: a public-safety fee applied to city utility bills and a transaction (credit-card) processing fee for payment cards. The transcript language about timing is imprecise; the speaker indicated the processing-fee policy is intended to be in effect around the end of June.

Staff also announced the city’s FY25 audit has been completed and described progress on liquidity and credit-guarantee measures. The presentation emphasized that finance staff are preparing final edits for the budget book and that some program funds will be shifted between budget cycles to ensure continuity of services.

No motions or formal votes on the budget, fees, or audit were recorded during this portion of the meeting. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about schedule and materials; staff committed to circulate the budget book and follow up on specific calendar items.