The appropriation will keep the city's fund balance at an acceptable level of around 25 percent, City Manager Joseph Scherer explained to council. The fund balance will drop to from $5.2 million to $4.9 million.

“Departments have been very frugal,” Scherer said. “Departments have had to do more with less. I feel it's an appropriate time to address critical needs.”

In a working paper on the matter, it is stated, “Once the city achieves its goal of an appropriate level of undesignated fund balance, any excess funds may be utilized for other municipal purposes including additional capital improvement needs.”

The $311,000 will be transferred to the general fund for capital and will be designated for the following projects:

Storm water at $100,000.

Rochelle Pond cleanup at $20,000.

Departmental upgrades at $40,000.

A Gator at $15,000.

Radios at $65,000.

Repairs and maintenance within the police department at $10,000.

Emry Park at $45,000.

Lockers at the Aquatic Center at $12,000.

Carpeting for the library at $4,000.

Scherer, answering a question from Councilwoman Carol Cowen, said the healthy fund balance could lead to unfreezing at least one position in the Public Works Department after negotiations for the next fiscal year budget. “They have the most critical need,” he said.