Edmond City Council starts on new city budget

A second suggestion was to pay $400,000 for the move and temporary home for the employees of the administration building where the public safety center will be built.

There would be $161,000 left, VanderHamm said.

“We don't have a shortfall of projects,” he said.

Mayor Charles Lamb said he could advocate spending more than $2 million that is annually budgeted for road repairs.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Waner said she is interested in having money available to assist with a public-private project to create a multipurpose trail from Mercy Health Edmond, south of 15th Street, to the north and east to Arcadia Lake.

Councilwoman Victoria Caldwell said she would like to see the reserve fund increased. She said she wanted to wait before spending the money.

“I don't want us to look at it like a penny burning a hole in our pocket,” Caldwell said.

City staff members will come up with a list of projects that could be completed if there is additional money.

“We are just getting started,” VanderHamm said. “It is critical that people understand that we take this serious.”