Official: Portales budget still OK

An $80,000 reduction in the City of Portales’ total fund balance for the 2017-2018 fiscal year isn’t cause for alarm, according to Finance Director Marilyn Rapp.

In her report of budget adjustments at the council’s Tuesday meeting, Rapp credited the reduction with a $1.3 million loan payment the council had money set aside for but hadn’t budgeted.

The transfer, according to Rapp, was for the first loan payment on the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which is due in April.

She added that the reduction in the balance doesn’t mean the city lost money, but that the city is “spending a little out of our reserves.”

“There’s no cause for concern. This is something that we had planned for. It was planned, we just didn’t have it in final budget, because we weren’t quite sure of the timing,” she said.

Other transfers included $9,000 to the street fund to repair equipment and $50,000 to the professional services fund to hire new personnel.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

• Wastewater Plant Operator Randall Poe was recognized for receiving his level 3 water operator’s license.

Public Works Director John DeSha noted that Poe also has a level 4 wastewater operator’s license.

He lauded Poe for the dedication he displayed in pursuing the license.

“Randy’s taken a lot of classes. When you get to this level, it shows you have quite a bit of dedication and expertise in what you’re doing,” he said.

• City Clerk Joan Martinez-Terry informed the council that voter turnout at the March 6 municipal election was 168. There were no contested races.

• Councilor Michael Miller was re-elected by his peers as mayor pro-tem in the re-organization of the council.

• Councilors approved the annual renewal of a loan agreement for the city’s F-111 static display.

Martinez-Terry said that the jet needs to be cleaned this year.

“It has a lot of stuff on it that needs to be taken off. It needs to be pressure washed and repainted,” she said.