City shifting budget funds

• Marble Falls City Council conducted its first reading of a budget amendment for funds towards the purchase of a lot at the corner of U.S. 281 and RR 1431 from the Marble Falls EDC. The land is now clear of the bait shop building in the background. Connie Swinney/The Highlander

As part of its mid-year review of the city budget for Fiscal Year 2024, the Marble Falls City Council April 16 conducted its first reading of an ordinance to adopt several proposed amendments to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) fund, the General Fund, the General Improvements Fund, the Hotel Conference Center fund and the Utility fund.

The amendments are necessary to revise estimated or actual amounts of expenses and revenues incurred since adoption of the FY 2024 budget last October, according to Finance Director Jeff Lazenby.

Conference Center Fund Perhaps the weightiest fiscal change involves the proposed transfer of more than $3.3 million from the EDC chest to the Hotel Conference Center fund.

Fire Hall Renovation Also, through the General Improvements Fund, the allocation of bond proceeds valued at more than $3.3 million is proposed for the Fire Station No.1 renovation.

Corner Lot Purchase Another proposed adjustment is the transfer of more than $1 million from the General Improvements.

Fund to the EDC to cover the cost of property situated at the northwest corner of U.S. 281 and RR 1431 the city purchased last January.

About half of the one-million-dollar tag will be covered by the General Fund reserve, the other half from the proceeds earned on seven- year tax notes.

The second reading of the budget adjustment ordinance may occur during the May 7 meeting.

Employee of the Quarter Also during the meeting, the council recognized Marble Falls Police Department and School Resource Officer Sgt. Jus tin Boucher as Employee of the Quarter.

In other business, the council: • Approved a final plat and construction agreement for the Legacy Crossing development on more than 109 acres out of the Guadalupe Flores and Abraham Bradley surveys;

• Suspended for 45 days the effective date Atmos Energy-Mid Texas Division proposed in its application to the city filed last February; and • Approved a final plat of Thunder Rock Phase 2A-1 and Phase 2B out of the Guadalupe Flores Survey; the final plat of

Roper West 38 out of the C&M RR Co. Survey and; the preliminary and final plat of the H&H Ranch subdivision out of the H.T. & B.R.R Co. Survey.