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City reports first-quarter finances, year-end 2024 and housing development updates
Summary
Finance staff presented a first-quarter 2025 dashboard and a 2024 year-end report showing general fund performance near budget; building permit intake was slow early in 2025 but multiple residential developments are moving forward.
Finance Director Sandy Hines presented the City of Buckley’s first-quarter 2025 financial dashboard and the 2024 year-end report during the council meeting, outlining revenue and expenditure trends and noting where staff are watching performance.
Hines said general fund revenues were below the 25% first-quarter benchmark because several revenue streams (notably property tax) are seasonal; overall general-fund expenditures were at about 32% but, after excluding an annual insurance payment, moved closer to a typical quarterly benchmark. Key points included: property tax at 1% for the quarter (seasonal timing, not an immediate concern), sales tax at about 26%, building permits at 10% (marked red for a slow start but expected to improve with permits pulled in April), and passport services up to 42% due to travel and REAL ID timing.
For the 2024 year-end report, Hines said total city revenues came in about 1% below budget (roughly $200,000 on approximately $20 million) and overall expenditures were about $4 million under budget, driven mainly by capital project timing. The general fund finished roughly $180,000 over budget on revenues and about $107,000 under budget on expenditures, which staff said will add to the city’s fund balance.
Community development staff reported activity on three residential projects: Anderson Subdivision (17 building permits submitted and approved; eight permits picked up), Blueberry Farms (model-home permits issued), and The Enclave at White River (model-home permits issued; awaiting final plat approval on additional permits). Chris (city staff) said Anderson and Enclave are off Spiketon Road near Luke’s Landing and are built by Richmond Homes; staff expect additional permit pickups soon.
Council asked questions about camera upgrades at the skate park, finance system replacement to prevent payroll and billing errors, and the potential for fire-impact fees; staff said presentations and additional study sessions will be scheduled for those items.
No formal action on the financial report or development updates was recorded; these were delivered as staff reports for council information and follow-up.
