By L. Parsons Last week in a special meeting that followed the regular meeting of the Winslow City Council, the 2021 budget was adopted. In absence of Councilman Kerwin Lawrence, a 4-2 vote sealed the decision. Councilwoman Samantha Crisp and Mayor Tom McCauley offered ‘no’ votes. Winslow City Manager John Barkley said, “We have been working on this budget since February. We adopted the tentative budget in June.” The total budgeted expenditures for Winslow in 2021 are $26.3 million with the largest cost to the city being in the police department budget of $3.8 million. Total revenues expected are $22.3 million. The largest contributor to the total is city sales tax at approximately $3 million. The public hearing surrounding the budget began with remarks from Winslow resident, Olivia Todd. “My concerns are that the numbers on Schedule A that reflect that fiscal year budget, by and large do not match the fiscal year 2020 budget. In certain instances, including the general fund, that number is higher.” Crisp asked Barkley for clarification on the issues raised by Todd. Barkley deferred to Finance Director Elias Joeun who stated, “What you are approving tonight for 2021, that’s going to change June 20, 2021. What you see today is the adopted budget and as we go throughout the year we will approve any revisions to the budget until the numbers you see here are the final budget. Not necessarily what you adopted on June 2019. The budget document is a living breathing document that evolves throughout the year. There was an action item for the final revisions but this is what I have and any more than that, I would have to do some research and am just telling you these are the final numbers as of June 30, 2020.” Barkley added, “Once the tentative budget was approved, we couldn’t exceed the budgeted amount. So, yes, numbers have changed, but our overall expenditures have not been exceeded.” McCauley rephrased, “Ok, the budget that you brought us tonight, and the final dollar exceeds the tentative budget that we adopted by $160,000 in the general fund between the adoption of tentative budget and final adoption tonight.” Joeun replied, “That is in general fund, not city-wide fund. Overall city wide in total funds, we have not exceeded the appropriation. We may go up in one fund and down in another fund, but overall city-wide total funds, is not exceeded appropriation.” City attorney Trish Struhan also replied, “The total amounts that are proposed to be spent in the budget should not exceed the total amount that were proposed for expenditure. So there can be some variance internally.” McCauley also noted a section of the budget that appeared to contain a typographical error. “In the tax levy portion, on the tax rate information page, it shows that the primary property tax rate for 2020 was 1.3916 percent. It shows for 2021, 138.71 percent.” Barkley said, “We neglected to make that change. It should read 1.3871.” The council also voted to table an action item calling for the renewal of open purchase order agreements. Crisp explained that some entities listed as having standing purchase orders with the city no longer exist. Barkley agreed to remove those businesses and return with a more comprehensive list at the next meeting. In other business, the council: * Heard the monthly finance report for the month of May. City wide revenues were $2.35 million bringing year to date total revenues to $14.3 million. General fund expenditures were $549,000 bringing the year to date total to $7.4 million. * Approved a resolution supporting continued Amtrak service in Winslow. * Approved an ordinance extending an agreement for commercial ground lease and operating agreements between the city and Flagstaff Medical Center and Guardian Air Transport. * Heard a quarterly report from the Winslow City Library in which Library Director Brandee Leary invited Winslow residents to take advantage of the library’s curbside services. If interested, contact the library by calling (928) 289-4982 or by email at library@winslowaz.gov. * Discussed the creation of an agricultural commission was brought forth by Crisp. “This would be an economic driver and increase access to nutritional foods. I am asking for five to seven adult members of the commission, two youth members and a city representative. The commission would apply for grants and be open to people within Winslow boundaries to include outlying areas such as Bushman and Ames Acres.” The commission will be accepting applications immediately on the city website, www.winslowaz.gov. * Proclaimed August and September as months of prayer in Winslow. The mayor’s proclamation encouraged citizens to pray daily for relief from COVID-19. The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at the Hubbell Building, located at 524 W. Second St.
