Council approves $6 million cybersecurity appropriation as budget season opens; city budget staff honored with GFOA award

Councilman Coleman moved and council approved a resolution appropriating $6,000,000 from the general fund assigned fund balance to the Information Technology Investment Fund to acquire cybersecurity and ransomware defensive software; the motion was seconded and passed 5-0.

The city manager used the meeting to note that the city received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for fiscal year 2026. He credited senior budget analysts Seth Parker and Robin Rose and Budget Director Lisa Cipriano for revitalizing the annual budget document to meet nationally recognized standards. The manager invited budget staff to the dais for presentation of the award; budget staff acknowledged the recognition.

Several council members used their remarks to encourage public participation in the budget process, reminding residents of upcoming budget hearings and town halls. Council members emphasized no proposed increases to taxes or fees in the recommended budget as they begin line-by-line review and urged residents to attend scheduled hearings.