Council flags apparent utility-fund deficit, seeks fund reallocation clarity

Council members raised concerns that the utility fund is operating at a deficit while solid waste shows a surplus. Staff explained some items (equipment, bonds) were shared across funds and that previous purchases were not always allocated consistently, which can make individual fund operating results appear worse than they are.

Participants discussed specific shared assets such as a backhoe and the need to split costs correctly across general, utility and solid-waste funds. One member said restructuring reporting next year should make fund-level shortfalls easier to identify and that the current presentation could be "messed up until next year" until allocations are corrected.