Budget and Finance Subcommittee Meeting

The Budget & Finance Subcommittee met and reviewed four substantive budget and grant orders related primarily to public safety and legal services. Members heard from Police Chief Craig Bailey about a $65,000 intra-department transfer to purchase a new police command vehicle and from him again regarding a $15,000 MIIA Wellness Grant to fund cardiac screenings for officers (approximately $700 per officer). Chief of Staff Ann Marie Casey explained a request to transfer $30,000 from the FY25 Budget Reserve to Legal Consultant Services due to higher-than-expected counsel needs this year (solar farm, civil service cases, cable termination) and anticipated costs including five union negotiations. Casey also summarized a recurring $9,020 FY25 MEMA grant for the Emergency Management Agency; the Fire Chief is scheduled to appear at the full City Council meeting for further questions.

For each of the four orders the subcommittee voted 3-0 to return the matter to the City Council with a positive recommendation. Discussion focused on scope and funding sources: police vehicle replacement plans and current fleet composition, how the wellness grant screenings would be administered and funded (using unused fitness incentive funds), the drivers of increased legal expenses and consideration of alternatives such as in-house counsel, and confirmation that the MEMA grant mirrors prior-year funding. There was no public comment.