Montana Code allows local governments to amend their fiscal year budgets by using the same method as used for the original budget adoption: public notice, public hearing and Council adopting a resolution.  The City's practice is to amend budgets quarterly, if needed.  The following amendments are proposed for the fourth quarter of FY 2015:

0100-43210-Code Enforcement   
One enforcement officer required an extended medical leave, causing overtime and comp time payments to other employees.  The new receptionist position was not budgeted in Code Enforcement.  General Fund reserves will be used for the additional costs.   

0100-16110-City Attorney   
The amendment is for defense services in the Watters lawsuit and General Fund reserves will be used.   

2030-North 27th Tax Increment   
Add budget authority to make the Stockman Bank and Northern reimbursements.  Current revenue will be used for the reimbursements.   

0100-Parks Recreation and Public Lands   
Add budget authority for the higher hourly pay for temporary employees.  General Fund reserves will be used for the additional costs.   

4980-Library Construction   
The Library requests additional budget authority to complete the new Library project.  Library reserves will be used for this amendment.   

Fund 4060 - Airport - Customer Facilities Capital Fund (CFC)   
The Airport is requesting a budget amendment to its CFC Capital  Fund.  The Airport Car Rental Transfer Lot will be used by the ""On Airport"" car rental companies to load and unload rental cars that are delivered just before the peak summer season and removed during the autumn and winter months.  This amendment is for the fencing and lighting portion of the project.  The CFC Capital Fund has sufficient funds to complete this project.   

2360-Trails/Bike Path Donations   
Public Works is requesting a budget amendment to increase budget authority for the local share portion of two Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) projects.  The construction costs of the Swords Park/6th Avenue North and the Poly Drive School Pedestrian Improvements projects are both projected to be in excess of original cost estimates.  CTEP funds 86.58% of these projects and the remaining 13.42% is funded with local share contributions from Bikenet and School District #2.   

8400-Storm Sewer   
Public Works is requesting a budget amendment to increase budget authority for the East End Storm Sewer project.  This project was funded with revenue bonds and supplemented with storm funds.  The revenue bonds will be paid back over the next twenty years from storm revenues.  Because there was sufficient cash in the Storm Fund, Public Works maximized the storm fund amount available to contribute towards the project and decreased the amount of the bonds needed in order to save on debt service costs.      

1990-South Tax Increment   
Remodel a classroom at Orchard School for medical care for $47,907 and incentive payment of $70,838 to Popeye's / Rehberg.  Current revenues will be used for the costs.   

Fund 7030-Cemetery Perpetual Care, Fund 0100-5140-Parks Recreation and Public Lands   
Interest earnings were greater than budgeted in the Perpetual Care Funds and this amendment would allow the funds to be spent on cemetery maintenance.   

2020-Downtown Tax Increment, 2030-N 27th Tax Increment   
Close the expired Downtown Tax Increment Fund.  The City wrote a check to the County in January based on receivables in the 2020 fund.  This amendment transfers cash from the 2030 fund to pay for the check and the 2030 fund gets the receivables in return.   
 

The Council may: Approve the requested budget amendments; or Not approve the requested budget amendments, which would put the City in violation of Montana Code Annotated.

The requested budget amendments will be funded by current revenues or reserves.