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He further added that the substitutions set aside the appropriate budget reserves, as articulated in the city's financial policies. This includes the separation payments account, the 27h pay account, the economic development fund account, and others. Assistant Director Shuster noted that tonight's substitutions follow past practice going back to 2008, whereby the 2022 budget is finalized at the last Council meeting of the year, allowing the books to be closed on the fiscal year, without the need for special meetings or revisiting the 2022 budget in 2023. It was clarified that the only two changes to the salary ordinance since the time it was introduced were: 1)removal of the legislative liaison position 2) change in the title of grants administrator to grants manager. Councilmember Bullock referenced a private conversation between himself and Director Rancatore. He asked Director Rancatore to share the highlights from that discussion, including the reason for the $7 million increase in the General Fund in Ordinance 35-2022 (year-end appropriations). Director Rancatore explained that the majority of this increase was to fund budget reserves, as articulated within the city's financial policies. Director Rancatore suggested that due to sound financial planning the city is well-positioned to be able to set aside these funds for 2022. He further explained that the transfers and advances ordinance (36-2022) transfers significant funds into the Winterhurst fund and the parking fund and explained the rationale. The city is planning future investments into Winterhurst and looking to save up, so as to reduce the amount of debt it takes on. He explained the pitfalls of accruing too much debt. Director Rancatore explained the rationale for transferring funds to the parking fund, stating that the funds are associated with the parking lot attached to the downtown development site. Funds from that lot began going into the General Fund in 2019, with the intention for that to be a temporary situation. Councilmember Kepple requested additional information on the changes made to the information technology line item, noting that the original ordinance funded this line item at a higher amount. Councilmember Bullock applauded the administration for including up to $50,000 in the 2023 budget for electric vehicle charging for the city's electric and hybrid fleet. Councilmember Bullock suggested that City Council end its membership with the National League of Cities, unless members are finding membership to be particularly valuable. He suggested that those funds instead be used to fund additional professional development. President Litten responded that he is comfortable with the existing travel budget and expressed that he will give more thought to the usefulness of the NLC membership. Councilmember Bullock advocated for the use of ARPA funds to help fund a$1,700 deficit with the Lakewood Alive Housing Outreach fund, noting that the CAC was unable to fully fund 3