City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING JUNE 10, 2021 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council Budget Development ROLL CALL Meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Council members present were Heidi Adamson, Roger Bray, Rick Cheatum, Linda Leeuwrik, Claudia Ortega and Chris Stevens. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Jim Krueger, Chief Financial Officer and City staff members were 2022 BUDGET in attendance to present on the following topics: Federal Aid PRESENTATION Projects; Fund 078 – General Government Capital Projects; and CAPITAL FUNDS Zoo Improvement. Mr. Krueger gave an overview of capital projects. He explained that funds set aside for Federal Aid Projects provide necessary match money for federal projects. Federal Aid Projects Jeff Mansfield, Public Works Director, stated he had previously presented a 5-year breakdown of upcoming Federal Aid projects to the Council. Those projects include the Center Street Bridge Project and Carson Street Bridge Project. In response to a question from Council, Mr. Mansfield stated that signal improvements at the South 5th I-15 exit would be a state project overseen by Idaho Transportation Department. Mr. Krueger clarified that a policy which holds funds allocated for federal projects separate from General Funds is appropriate. He stated that it is a generally accepted accounting practice to transfer funds from one department to another, as appropriate. Jared Johnson, City Attorney, added that departments that operate on Enterprise Funds cannot transfer funds to departments that function within the General Fund. Council members asked Mr. Krueger to describe budget amendment items in greater depth in the future. Fund 078 – General Government Capital Projects Mr. Krueger explained that Fund 078 is sometimes referred to as “contingency funds” and is set aside for capital projects. He stated no addition of revenue to the fund is anticipated for Fiscal Year 2022 and that a placeholder of $400,000.00 is in place for expected expenditures. Mr. Krueger stated that an example of appropriate use of the fund may be the purchase of accounting software. The initial purchase would be a capital expenditure, but ongoing maintenance expenses would be budgeted within the General Fund. He explained that COVID relief funds are available and that specific uses are tied to the allocation. Council members asked for a comprehensive listing of capital projects proposed by City departments in order to make decisions based on needs and priorities. Extensive Council discussion followed regarding long-term budget planning, budget decision processes, spending strategies, department needs and community feedback regarding fiscal responsibility.  2 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING JUNE 10, 2021 Mrs. Ortega left the meeting at 10:13 a.m. Mayor Blad directed department heads to submit a listing of priority projects to be given to the Council for consideration at the next Budget Development meeting. Mayor Blad called a recess at 10:17 a.m. Mayor Blad reconvened the meeting at 11:07 a.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 12: Mayor Blad canceled the remainder of the meeting and adjourned ADJOURN the meeting at 11:08 a.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: KONNI R. KENDELL, CITY CLERK