County finance officer reports cash balances, deficits and outstanding debt of about $9 million

Starr County's finance official provided a multi-page budget and cash report at the commissioners court meeting on Feb. 24 showing cash balances, year-to-date revenues and expenditures and total outstanding debt of $9,019,519 as of Jan. 31.

The presenter reported an available cash balance for the general fund of $1,642,973; road and bridge fund cash of $435,688; and payroll-clearing of $414,183. The general fund year-to-date revenues were reported as $6,010,052 against total expenditures of $8,141,219, for a year-to-date deficit of $2,131,167. The road and bridge fund showed year-to-date revenues of $1,802,898 and expenditures of $2,617,533, a deficit of $815,435.

Enterprise fund figures read into the record included an "International Bridge" fund with year-to-date revenues of $1,086,649 and expenditures of $1,518,181 (a deficit of $431,532). The county's gas system was reported with year-to-date revenues of $367,176, expenditures of $279,420 and a surplus of $87,756. An "INS fund" was reported with revenues of $236,113 and expenditures of $178,505 (surplus $57,608). The finance report concluded with a debt summary showing total outstanding debt of $9,019,519.

A commissioner asked whether the line showing current taxes collected through January meant that 76% of accounts were delinquent; the finance presenter said January deposits sometimes arrive after the report and that January receipts might not yet be reflected, so the apparent percentage is not exact and will be clearer on the next monthly report.

The report was provided for the court's review and no vote was taken on the report itself.