Council approves $450,000 CityLink budget transfer after debate over one-time funds

The Edmond City Council approved a budget amendment to transfer $450,000 within the CityLink budget after staff said contract and software costs were higher than estimated.

Christie Batterson, director of community resources and housing, told the council the request moves money originally allotted for bus capital to contract services and software renewals. "This is one time money that was already budgeted in for buses — I'm just not buying buses this year," Batterson said, explaining grant awards and capital reserves would cover vehicle purchases.

Mayor Mark A. Nash and several council members questioned the practice of using one‑time capital funds to cover ongoing operating expenses. "I'm struggling with this because we're talking about funding ongoing operating expenses with one-time money," the mayor said, pressing staff on how future costs would be covered.

Council members pressed for better visibility and monthly budget-to-actual reporting to avoid late-year scrambling and to ensure directors see trends earlier in the fiscal year. Staff said CityLink's costs track to revenue hours, contractual rates and a recent full-time staff addition; reductions in service would be the only way to lower contractual costs. One council member highlighted that the program will require ongoing subsidy and recommended policy-level discussion about service level and affordability.

After discussion, a motion to approve the transfer passed 4–1.

The council also addressed a related senior meals grant and OSBI grant items in the same portion of the agenda; those matters were presented as one-time grants with corresponding budget corrections or reimbursements and were approved by the council.