LAKEPORT >> The Lakeport City Council approved the mid-year budget review for the 2016-2017 fiscal year with various adjustments. Many of these were driven by recent events.
Lakeport Fiscal Director Nick Walker informed the council that amendments better fit the changes that have occurred over the past six months, or since prior approval of the budget.
“In addition to management and fiscal responsibility of monitoring the budget, we also get together and look a little bit deeper at the budget at mid-year and we come up with various adjustments that we bring to the council for approval,” Walker said.
One of the highlights of the adjusted budget was due to a collection of delinquency fees that totaled up to $100,000. This money is added into the budget that can be used for other projects. In addition the Bank Card Security System (BSCC) Law Enforcement budget, the Water and Sewer Operations and Maintenance all were in need of amendments to readjust their funds.
The BSCC gained an extra $90,000 from various funds, including one that was split between BSCC and the City of Lakeport. This amount made up about $60,000 of the total and will be directed toward different projects.
The new amendments will allow funds to be spent in other places Walker said. The BSCC Law Enforcement budget will allow funds for various unbudgeted Police Department projects that are related to the new building.
For the Water and Sewer Operation and Maintenance, amendments to their budgets cover personnel costs. The departments have accumulated significant overtime due to storms and flooding. There is also a need for legal services related to Ground Water Sustainability.
Some of the increase would require use of the reserve balance Walker said.
“In total, this increases across funds the total appropriation of about $70,720,” Walker said.
