Council approves special funds budget; staff flags hotel-occupancy transfers and assets on order

The council moved to accept the proposed special funds budget for FY 2026–27 and approved it by a recorded 4–2 vote. Staff emphasized that many special funds are supported by the general fund and that transfers from the hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT) fund had been reduced based on more realistic actuals.

Brad Chambers told council he had requested an $85,000 loan from the HFC to cover hot-grant obligations and that the HOT fund transfer to the general fund was reduced for the coming year. "We really tried to look at actuals and look at what's realistic for the funds to support and what they can't," Chambers said.

Council members asked about assets on order, including a ladder truck and a police vehicle, and discussed whether previously approved CIP projects had been executed. One council member suggested selling or reassigning expensive assets that are not currently needed as an option to balance budgets; staff identified the ladder truck and the police vehicle as the primary large assets currently on order.

The motion to approve the special funds budget was moved, seconded and passed 4–2. Council asked staff to continue reconciling fund assignments, clarify which previously approved CIP items remain unspent and report back on options for using or liquidating assets on order.