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August 10th, 2026 St. Anthony Council Work Session - 2 Excess Fund Balance, and St. Anthony is on the high side of that range. Councilmember Doolan noted that it would not be a concern to reduce this Fund’s total, since the City is on the high side and this is a good use of the funds. Councilmember Jenson pointed out that the Fund balance came out at 56 percent, and that the target is 50 percent. He stated there is no logic in having too much money in this fund. Finance Director Maloney explained that the leftover Fund balance is used to fund the City until June of each fiscal year. Mayor Webster clarified that the 50 percent Fund balance is to fund the City for six months. Finance Director Maloney confirmed that this is the goal until they receive their tax settlement. Mayor Webster reminded the Council that they adopted a policy in previous years to use Excess Funds to address City needs when Excess Funds exceed 50 percent. Councilmember Jenson informed the Council that in the past, the Fund balance was closer to 35 or 40 percent. Councilmember Jenson asked what allows the Fund balance to be higher than planned. Finance Director Maloney stated that it can be many things, such as unaccounted-for revenues, higher- than-expected revenues, lower-than-budgeted expenses, and more. Councilmember Doolan asked if the expenses proposed to be covered by the Excess Fund balance will bring it down to 50 percent. Finance Director Maloney confirmed that is the case. Councilmember Doolan stated that there is little risk in bringing the Excess Fund balance down to 50 percent if that is on the high end of what is recommended anyway. Mayor Webster confirmed that the Council agrees to utilize the Excess Fund Balance for Police recruitment incentives and Comprehensive Plan expenses. She asked whether the Council would like sustainability initiatives to be a one-year allocation or likely to extend beyond one year. Councilmember Doolan reflected on the previous meeting and reminded the Council that the City hoped to use the funds to enable the Green Corps member to pursue more sustainability education. She noted that this scope seems more limited and could be classified as a single- year project. Mayor Webster cautioned that there is a risk in tying the funds to an intern or Green Corps member if the City is unable to hire one. Councilmember Jenson stated that he perceived the proposed 30,000 dollars as a one-year beginner program, and that the Council would reassess the investment the next year. He commented that he does not feel that the City is in a dire climate crisis, and so the City should mostly focus on education surrounding building. Councilmember Jenson expressed support for treating the sustainability initiatives as a one-year pilot program. Mayor Webster asked whether data from one year would be sufficient to determine whether the City should reinvest in this program. Councilmember Jenson stated that Sustainability Coordinator Saulog will be able to provide the data. Mayor Webster highlighted the value of research and data on the impact of programs. She proposed making the sustainability initiatives a two- or three-year investment to gather more information on their success. Councilmember Jenson encouraged remaining true to the set dollar amount and single-year plan. 4