Tomball reports higher-than-budget sales tax and strong property-tax collections in third-quarter briefing
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Summary
City finance staff reported third-quarter results showing sales-tax receipts about $870,000 above budget (roughly 6.6% growth) and property-tax collections at approximately $11.57 million, or 102% of budget. Council discussed revenue patterns, a water-revenue shortfall due to wet weather, and the city's investment position.
City finance staff presented the third-quarter financial and investment reports during a Tomball City Council workshop, reporting continued sales-tax growth and overall revenues slightly above budget. "Currently, we're about $870,000 over our budget, which is about a 6% 6.6% increase over the prior year," Greg, a city finance staff member, said.
Sales tax growth slowed across the quarters: the city recorded an 11.7% increase in the first quarter, about a 4% increase in the second, and ended the third quarter near 3.7% growth, which staff estimated will translate to a roughly 6%–7% increase for the full year. Property-tax collections totaled about $11,570,000, or 102% of the current-year budget, staff reported.
From an expenditure perspective, staff said the general fund is at about 67.8% of budget and the enterprise fund at about 66.5% through three quarters. Water revenues lagged expectations, a shortfall staff attributed to a wet summer that reduced residential water use; wastewater and gas revenues were reported near expected levels. The city reported no outstanding concerns on debt service and said a half-million-dollar bond the city holds will mature in roughly one year.
On investments, staff said the city held approximately $123 million in cash and short-term investments, with most funds in a TexPool account that can be accessed without penalty. Staff noted one bond in the portfolio with a roughly 4.5% interest rate and that cash allocations are being managed to preserve liquidity while earning market rates where feasible.
Council members asked about staffing-driven savings and timing of expenditures. Staff explained some salary savings due to police vacancies and noted certain one-time expenditures had been shifted or deferred. The finance presentation concluded with staff offering to provide more detailed line-item follow-up as requested.
No formal financial policy changes were proposed at the workshop; the presentation provided quarterly status and context for upcoming budget-year planning.