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Controller reports 2024 sales tax finish, ambulance revenue pace; overtime budget pressure noted
Summary
The controller told the Finance Committee that 2024 sales tax collections finished ahead of budget, ambulance revenue is running near plan, and overtime is already half spent by February as new hires are phased in.
The city's controller updated the Finance Committee on April 12 on year‑end results and early 2025 collections, reporting that 2024 sales tax collections finished the year at $2,021,000,000 and came in nearly $800,000 above the budgeted figure.
The controller said the 2025 revenue target requires "just under 1 percent increase" over the 2024 actual to meet the city's 2025 target; only one collection cycle had posted so far and that single payment exceeded the prior year but was insufficient to conclude a trend.
On departmental revenues, the controller said ambulance billing is on pace with about $50,000 coming in per month and that prior‑year receivables are still being cleared, which could change net figures after year‑end adjustments. The controller noted parking revenue remains steady.
On expenses, the controller warned the committee that overtime expenses are running high: by mid‑February the city had already used roughly half of the overtime budget for the year. The controller attributed part of the overtime pressure to recent hiring gaps and said new hires expected to be fully operational in April should reduce overtime spending.
The controller said health‑insurance costs appear in line with recent years and that year‑end financial statements will be completed next month; staff will distribute the final fund‑balance report to the council when ready.
The update was informational; committee members asked follow‑up questions about traffic enforcement revenue and staff said they would provide detailed violation and collection figures at a future date.
