Council approves $675,000 budget transfer and contract increases for asphalt and concrete work

Council voted on April 7 to transfer $675,000 from the major road fund to the local road fund to cover increased costs on asphalt and concrete projects and to amend existing vendor contracts for pavement work.

Finance staff Jason explained the amendment as a fund‑to‑fund transfer: "the total amount of the transfer is $675,000 from the major road fund to the local road fund, and then that 675 is being split between asphalt and concrete projects on the local road fund," Jason said.

Separately the council approved two contract amendments tied to those projects. Item 6.18 increases spending authority for Al's Asphalt by $425,000, bringing the not‑to‑exceed total to $4,870,000; the motion said funding sources include the local street fund, major street fund, the Taylor Building Authority and an MEDC grant. Item 6.19 increases Audio Concrete Construction's authority by $250,000 to a total not to exceed $1,765,000, funded from the same mix of street funds and the TBA. Both motions carried during the meeting.

Council members said the transfers and contract changes follow prior negotiation and routine annual fund transfers between major and local road funds; one councilmember summarized the intent simply: "Fix the roads." The council did not increase total citywide road spending, council staff noted, because the transfer is an internal reallocation between funds.

Next steps include contract administration by public works and project scheduling consistent with the approved funding and vendor assignments.