An unexpected $271,000 windfall from Marietta's inheritance tax will give the city's general fund a much-needed boost, according to City Auditor David Locke.

"It will help make up for some slack in the general fund this year," he said. "We only projected $55,000 from the inheritance tax in the 2009 budget, but prior to this recent payment we already had $187,000, so this brings the total to $458,000."

Locke announced the windfall during city council's finance committee meeting Monday.

Finance chairman Andy Thompson, R-at large, said it was a surprise.

"We had no idea that much would be coming in," he said. "I knew there had been a large estate settlement, but didn't expect anything to come in at this time.

"It's a pleasant surprise that will help us build a healthier general fund," Thompson added.

In other business Monday, Marietta Fire Chief Tom Dempsey asked for council approval of a total $10,175 from a federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant to pay for gloves, boots, and a high-tech fire extinguisher training unit that would be used to help teach the public how to properly aim an extinguisher in order to put out a fire.

Dempsey said the unit uses lasers or water and produces no smoke, so it could be used indoors to train staff at nursing homes or schools.

Also on Monday, city engineer Joe Tucker requested $31,000 from energy loan funds to complete the first phase of energy-saving upgrades to city buildings at 301 and 304 Putnam St.

He said $6,000 of that money would go for a change allowing Swiss Valley Associates of Sardis, contracted to perform an energy audit on municipal buildings, parks and other facilities, to submit applications to American Electric Power for energy rebates estimated at $29,524 for the city.

"AEP is mandated to provide for energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint, and this is how they're doing it," Tucker explained. "We can also receive a retroactive rebate from the installation of LED lighting in our traffic signal lights earlier this year."

Tucker said the other $25,000 he requested from the energy loan fund would be used for any contingencies that might crop up as the first phase of the energy conservation project is completed by mid-December.

The initial phase includes an upgraded HVAC system, window replacement, energy-efficient lighting, and computer server improvements at 301 Putnam St., and window replacement and improved lighting at 304 Putnam.