Chief Scott Gerdes addresses city council.[/caption]

After a month of deliberation over the FY 2016-17 operating budget, a miscalculation was discovered August 24 which took West Lake Hill’s estimated fund balance down to $5,000, an approximately $435,000 swing.

When Financial Officer Wendy Bates first presented budget data to the council at the start of the budgeting process in late July, she said the $435,000 was included in the city’s fund balance. However, at the Aug. 24 City Council meeting, Bates, along with City Administrator Robert Wood, informed residents that the money had already been obligated to three accounts—the court fund, the police department fund and the tree fund.

Therefore, the money that appeared to be unrestricted and available—$435,000—was actually restricted, staff said. It could not be placed back into the general fund, making the general fund balance a lot lower than council members expected, staff said.

“We made this budget thinking we were going to have more money to play with. Now that’s not the case,” said council member Jim O’Connor.

The city council had a budget meeting Sept. 6, and will be approving a revised budget this month.