LANCASTER – The Lancaster City Council held its regular work session on Tuesday, Sept. 9, with budget adjustments for both the past and current fiscal years making up the bulk of the agenda.
The meeting opened with an invocation from Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Harris, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Mayor Alston DeVenny and Councilwoman Linda Taylor were absent.
Council unanimously approved the minutes from the Aug. 26 meeting before moving into two budget-related ordinances.
Amendments to 2024-2025 Budget
Finance Director Jeff Abshire presented Ordinance 025-15, an amendment to the city’s operating budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. He explained the measure was primarily a bookkeeping step to close out the prior fiscal year, ensuring no individual line items showed overages. “It’s just moving money around,” Abshire told council, noting the total budget figures were unchanged.
Council approved the first reading of the ordinance unanimously.
Adjustments for 2025-2026 Budget
Council then reviewed Ordinance 025-16, which makes several amendments to the current 2025-2026 budget. Key changes included:
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Hospitality Tax Fund: $15,120 for repair of a welcome sign on Highway 200 damaged in an accident, to be offset by insurance proceeds.
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Christmas Decorations: Reallocation of $8,000 from capital improvement funds to purchase additional holiday decorations downtown.
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Spring House Repairs: $160,000 for structural column replacement, funded through carryover.
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Water and Wastewater: A $2 million increase in the water meter replacement budget, bringing the total to $5.3 million, funded through lease proceeds. An additional $75,000 was added for alum purchases at the wastewater treatment plant due to a budgeting miscalculation.
The adjustments were previously reviewed by the Finance Committee. Council members again voted unanimously to approve the first reading.
Abshire noted the completed budget document will be finalized and posted online in the coming days. He encouraged council to review it closely, highlighting new formatting and design intended to make the document more user-friendly for both council and residents.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn.
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