City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 22, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: MORGAN ROUTT, DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution Regarding the Transfer of Unencumbered Appropriations by the City Manager or Designee.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a resolution to affirm the authority of the City Manager to transfer unencumbered appropriation funds within the accounts of an office, department or agency and to delegate authority from City Council to the City Manager to transfer unencumbered appropriation funds from one office, department or agency to another.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment 1) affirming and delegating the delineated actions to the City Manager or designee.
BACKGROUND: Pursuant to sections 6.07 and 6.13 of the Alexandria City Charter, the Alexandria City Council is authorized to appropriate funds for use by department, courts, bureaus, boards, commissions, offices and agencies as part of the general appropriation ordinance or supplemental appropriation ordinances.
Section 5.07 of the Alexandria City Charter authorizes the City Manager to transfer any unencumbered appropriation balance or portion thereof within the accounts of an office, department or agency. Further, the same Charter section authorizes the council, when advised of the details by the city manager by a docketed resolution, to transfer any unencumbered appropriation balance or portion thereof from one office, department or agency to another.
DISCUSSION: City staff have indicated that there are times and circumstances when city offices, departments, and agencies encounter unanticipated costs in operations that require immediate funding before such time as a supplemental appropriation ordinance may be considered by City Council.
This resolution seeks to affirm existing authority for the City Manager to transfer any unencumbered appropriation balance or portion thereof within the accounts of an office, department or agency. Additionally, the resolution seeks to allow faster response to unexpected needs by delegating City Council’s authority to transfer any unencumbered appropriation balance or portion thereof from one office, department or agency to another.
Any such transfers from one office, department or agency to another will be identified and reported to City Council at the same time as the next annual or supplemental appropriation ordinance. City staff will also develop a policy to formalize the process for making transfers of appropriated unencumbered funds.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Regarding the Transfer of Unencumbered Appropriations by the City Manager or Designee.
STAFF:
Kevin Greenlief, Director, Department of Finance
Amanda Hamm, Assistant Director, Office of Management and Budget
Cheran C. Ivery, City Attorney
David Lanier, Assistant City Attorney.