The Pinetop Lakeside Town Council received its September financial report showing the town’s general fund revenues at about $2,094,000 through the first full fiscal quarter, or roughly 22% of projected annual revenue.

Gabe Buldra, finance director, told the council that excluding contingency revenue the town is at about 25.9% of projected revenues for the year and that overall the municipal revenue picture is close to target despite a modest year-over-year decline in sales tax collections.

“We are seeing an overall decline year over year…about a 5% drop in total sales tax revenue when we compare this time to the same time last year,” Buldra said, and noted the town is about $80,000 under budget for the first three months.

On expenditures, Buldra reported general fund spending of about $2,175,000 (22% of budget) through the quarter and said some line-item variances reflect timing: a magistrate contract paid early in the year, a vehicle engine replacement affecting fleet maintenance, and subscription fees posted earlier in the year for council. He also explained personnel costs are influenced by the payroll schedule versus monthly budgeting and are currently elevated in percentage terms but are expected to normalize by December.

Buldra said other special revenue funds are within expectations and that the town ended the month with approximately $1,479,000 in general fund cash. He added that adjustments recommended by counsel and enacted by the manager will be reflected beginning October 1, and that revised reporting next month will show those changes in the cash-flow projection.

No formal council action was required on the report; council members asked clarifying questions about timing and expected changes in next month’s report.