Council keeps park and EMS reserves intact while planning targeted transfers

Councilors clarified how different departmental funds are treated and agreed that some accounts funded by fees or grants should remain in place rather than be swept into the general fund. A council member explained that the EMS account is fee-funded and behaves more like a grant fund than a levy-funded department, so it will remain in its current structure for now.

The council reviewed the EMS fund balance and receivables. Committee member (speaker 3) reported the EMS fund balance as "$40,490.07," and members discussed the volatility of receivables and the upcoming contract renewal with the city in 2027-28. On parks, the group agreed to move certain part-time costs and to "0 out" a park insurance line and shift the part-time grounds crew allocation back to an earlier line to avoid raising the park levy. That technical reallocation was described as budget-neutral and will be implemented by staff in the budget ordinance draft.

The body also asked staff to keep a close eye on EMS receivables and collection patterns before any further decisions about levy shifts or service changes are made.