By DREW LAWSON
Staff Reporter 

Council tables financial emergency declaration

 

Last updated 8/20/2020 at 10:18am



AIRWAY HEIGHTS—The city continues to face a $1.9 million budget gap, but council elected to not declare its financial state an “emergency” at its legislative session August 17 after such a recommendation from city manager Albert Tripp on August 10.

Tripp informed council August 10 that the intent of the emergency declaration was to spread awareness about the city’s financial state, which he felt could potentially lead to some federal aid in the form of CARES Act money. However, as Congress continues to grapple over the possibility of further federal funds being disbursed, Tripp felt that such a declaration wouldn’t hold much advantage to the city.

Tripp was absent August 17, but public works director Kevin Anderson followed up his recommendation and council voted 4-0 (two council members were absent and one didn’t vote due to connectivity issues) to table the declaration indefinitely.

Anderson also gave a second presentation of public feedback on how to possibly amend the $1.9 million budget gap, as discussed in the August 13 issue of the Cheney Free Press. Council’s next move is to discuss public feedback on Sept. 7.

Council also agreed to extend the fire department’s contract with Airway Heights Corrections Center by four years through a second amendment of the contract. That second amendment extends the contract, which provides emergency services to the corrections center, through July 2024.

The police department’s request to surplus firearms to the seizure funds account as the department begins the process of introducing new H&K VP-9 firearms for on-duty use was also approved by council.

Drew Lawson can be reached at drew@cheneyfreepress.com.

 

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