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Council approves $32.3 million in expenditures; finance director urges caution amid mixed revenue trends
Summary
The Huntsville City Council approved $32,335,411.37 in expenditures and several ordinances and appointments. Finance Director Penny Smith presented quarterly and January–February numbers, saying sales and lodging tax trends are mixed and warning departments to “look twice before we add expenditures.”
The Huntsville City Council on March 13 approved expenditures totaling $32,335,411.37 and a package of routine ordnance and appointments while Finance Director Penny Smith presented a quarterly financial update that urged caution on spending.
Penny Smith, finance director, told the council that sales and use tax revenue through January put the city about $1.7 million — roughly 33.8% of the year — ahead of prior‑year numbers at the 33% point of the fiscal year. Smith said February preliminary numbers indicated sales and use tax might be down roughly 0.5% from the prior year, while lodging tax showed double‑digit increases in the first quarter and remained up year‑over‑year through February.
“We are on budget,” Smith said during her remarks, adding that the city should “communicate any concerns” from departments and “look twice before we add expenditures…
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