The Carroll City Council sparred over several aspects of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 preliminary budget prior to its initial approval at Monday’s meeting. The nearly 300-page budget includes department proposals, individual fund reviews, tax levy calculations, and more. City leaders found most of the preliminary budget satisfactory, but there were a few sticking points for council members, beginning with the $102,000 ask from the Carroll County Growth Partnership. Several council members wanted to reduce the amount to $82,000 following the end of the Retail Coach contract, which the City of Carroll helped fund. City Manager Aaron Kooiker has discussed the council’s concerns with CCGP staff.
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A motion from Ward 1 Councilman Tom Bordenaro to adjust CCGP’s funding from the city to $82,400 was approved unanimously. Kooiker notes the economic development organization is planning to add a new position to their staff, and the council will likely be asked to consider a budget amendment once the details of that posting’s needs are determined. Another point of contention is a city-funded courtesy vehicle at the Arthur N. Neu Airport. Currently, the city leases a car for $6,600 per year from Wittrock’s to be used by airport customers and also pays the insurance premiums. The council had previously suggested the airport use a local cab company, ride-share apps, or accept a donation from the city of a former Carroll Police Department patrol vehicle to provide transportation, but those ideas were rejected. Ward 2 Councilman Jason Atherton moved to remove the vehicle funding from the FY25 budget, but the motion died due to lack of a second. Ward 3 Councilman Kyle Bauer says the issue deserves further discussion for future budget years.
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Greg Siemann, a Carroll Airport Commission member, says they need a courtesy vehicle at the airport because cab availability does not always meet customers’ needs, and the community does not have a rental car company nearby. According to Siemann, the commission is tasked with running the airport, and they have the final say on its operation.
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The council did not vote to cut the vehicle funding from the airport budget. The final issue was the proposed rehabilitation of the Graham Park Bandshell. The early estimates for that construction work are around $150,000, but it is not included in the FY25 budget. Representatives from the Carroll Historic Preservation Commission have committed to raising $75,000 for the project. They are requesting the city provide the remaining $75,000. The council declined to include that funding until a more solid cost estimate is available. The council voted 5-1, Atherton being the sole nay vote, to approve the preliminary budget. The timeline for final approval includes setting a public hearing on the proposed property tax levy for the March 25 meeting and a hearing on the entire FY25 budget on April 8, with a deadline to file with the county and state by April 30. Video from the budget debate is included below.
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