There’s been some misleading posts regarding the $15,000 transition line item in the city budget, so here are the facts.
This was not something added quietly or pushed through for any political purpose.
The transition allocation was:
• Included as “up to $15,000, as needed.”
• Discussed in at least one publicly advertised budget work session.
• Part of the draft budget posted publicly from May through June.
• Presented during the official budget public hearing in June.
• Included in both readings of the final budget, all in open session.
• Approved unanimously by the full City Council.
And this is important:
It was approved long before anyone had filed to run for Mayor.
There was no way to know who would win, or even who would enter the race. This was a standard good-governance item meant to ensure continuity, not politics.
Any resident can go back and watch the meeting videos, everything happened in the open.
The intent was simple: if the city needed consulting or administrative support to make the mayoral transition smooth and efficient, the funds were available. If not needed, they wouldn’t be spent.
And this practice isn’t new.
The City has provided similar “as-needed, up-to-a-limit” transition support for several long-tenured employees to maintain continuity and preserve institutional knowledge. That has included former City Administrator Spencer Wetmore, former Utilities Director Kyle Sullivan, and former HR Director Tac Battery. These are standard continuity measures, not politics, not special favors.
This is exactly why facts matter — especially when we’re talking about how city funds are used.
Misinformation can erode trust, create unnecessary division, and distract from the real issues that deserve our attention. When we stick to what’s true and documented, we can have honest conversations about how to govern responsibly and keep Folly moving forward.
Transparency matters. Accuracy matters. And our community deserves both.
