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City Council Finance Committee <br />Meeting Minutes <br />August 17, 2023 <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />Questions from the Committee: <br />Councilmember Dickinson asked how the unrestricted funds tie into the rest of the budget, the source of <br />the funds and what they can be used for. The Director of Finance noted that exhibit 3 on page 32 of the <br />report identifies fund balances. It is likely that a large transfer from ARPA to General Fund in 2022 and <br />unanticipated revenue proceeds from the Marshall Fire is a significant amount of the increase in the <br />unrestricted fund balance. <br />Questions from the public: None. <br />Mid -year Financial Report: <br />The Accounting Manager presented the mid -year financial report to the committee. <br />Questions from the Committee: <br />Councilmember Hamlington had a question about the Historic Preservation Fund. Ending fund balance <br />compared to others, it seems disproportionally high revenues for expenditures. She asked if there is an <br />opportunity for HPC to evaluate how funds are distributed and whether adjustments to the program are <br />warranted to increase the disbursement of these funds for incentives. Chair Dickinson agreed that it should <br />be determined how to increase the incentives, making them easier for applicants to receive. Fin Dir noted <br />that 2023 expenditures are increasing and getting closer to <br />The City Manager noted that the Community Development Director and CMO have discussed this issue. <br />The Community Development team is considering ways to further the program. <br />Councilmember Hoefner noted that the water budget revenue exceeded budget by $6-7M. The Director <br />of Public Works noted that there was a one-time payment of sale of water rights around $2.6M. <br />Chair Dickinson replacement capital in water and WWTP — negative expenses in 2021 & 2022 then $3.2M <br />budget. The Director of Public Works noted that water and wastewater are continuing with large projects. <br />With higher levels of precipitation this year, people aren't watering lawns, so water rate revenue is lower <br />than usual. Projects may be delayed due to the external influences of temperatures and precipitation rates. <br />Utility funds are very fluid based on external factors. <br />Councilmember Hamlington asked when we talk about Louisville using less water due to increased <br />precipitation. Ideally in 10+ years, people won't have lawns to be watered. Will that decrease water usage <br />and how do we plan for projects with this consideration. If we lean farther into conservation as a state, <br />Louisville will be in a better position to have plenty of water. This will require looking at policies as a City. <br />Councilmember Hamlington noted that, looking at capital projects fund, some adopted budgets to adjusted <br />budgets have increased significantly. The Director of Finance noted that, in the capital fund, you see carry - <br />forward of projects from year to year. The left -over budget from the previous year is rolled into the current <br />year budget and the budget is adjusted accordingly. <br />4/21 <br />