City Council reviews proposed $24.6M budget, tables tornado-related loan decision

Yahoo

a day ago

London City Council conducted a first reading of its proposed $24.6 million budget for fiscal year 2025–26 during a special-called meeting Monday evening.
The proposed appropriations include:
— General Fund: $16,181,500
— Garbage Fund: $7,043,000
— Municipal Aid Program: $177,000
— Alcohol Fund: $1,225,000
— LGEA Funds: None.
At the start of Monday's meeting, Council Member Judd Weaver announced that fellow councilperson Anthony Ortega was absent due to his father's passing.
Stacy Benge made a motion to approve the first reading of the discussed budget — Ordinance 2025-08 — which was seconded by Council Member Justin Young and unanimously approved.
The second reading and final adoption of the budget is scheduled for a special-called meeting at 4:30 p.m. Monday, June 16. The budget ordinance is the only item planned for that meeting's agenda.
Benge requested that the proposed ordinance be posted to the city's website in advance so the public can view it, to which Mayor Randall Weddle agreed.
During the discussion, Benge said he had previously asked about a new $60,000 line in the clerk's department labeled 'payroll.' He confirmed with Mayor Weddle that the line reflects a new payroll processing system (BambooHR) and is not tied to additional staffing as he originally thought.
Benge also questioned the city fire department's salary increase from $875,000 last year to $1.18 million. Weddle said the fire department had been understaffed and underpaid, and that two part-time firefighters were added this year, along with raises and budget flexibility to cover growing manpower needs for community events.
Fire Chief Donnie Hale confirmed the department remains below staffing standards at this time.
'According to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards, we're supposed to have seven people per shift. We only have five,' Hale said. 'When I came in, there were three.'
Chief Hale added that while the department has about 25 volunteers on the roster, only a few regularly respond. He said incentives are not currently offered due to budget limitations.
Young went on to ask how the city handles unplanned costs for events, to which Mayor Weddle said such expenses are addressed through contingency funds. Weddle also confirmed that the city has enough funding to operate through the end of the current fiscal year. The budget includes adjustments for current staffing and anticipated operational needs.
The council went on to discuss a proposed loan to cover approximately $350,000 in tornado-related payroll expenses. Weddle said that while the city technically has the funds to cover the cost, the loan would help ensure that critical infrastructure projects, such as road paving and bridge repairs, could proceed without being affected.
'It's a $100,000 to $130,000 project every time we touch one of these bridges,' Weddle said.
Council members expressed concerns about interest costs and public opposition. Particularly, Jim Baker questioned borrowing when funds are available, and Weaver said residents had raised concerns to him.
Benge moved to table the loan discussion until the council's regular meeting in August. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
The council's upcoming meeting will take place next Monday. To watch the livestream, visit The City of London Facebook page.