Finance committee reviews monthly statements, non‑filer collection plan and levy filing steps

Lede — North College Hill’s budget and finance committee reviewed April bank reconciliations, fund balances and charts of monthly receipts and expenditures, and discussed several near‑term fiscal steps including levy filings and a proposed RITA administrative subpoena program for non‑filers.

Nut graf — Finance manager Shéba Stevens‑Knott and staff told the committee the city’s bank reconciliations match its books for April, provided a visual breakdown of receipts and expenses by fund, and recommended administrative steps intended to improve collections and preserve levy timelines; staff said the city can authorize a RITA non‑filer filing for roughly $1 per non‑filer (estimated $4,000 total) to pursue unpaid income taxes and that Hamilton County will compute certified levy rates needed for the November ballot.

Body — Stevens‑Knott presented the April Fifth Third bank statements, a bank reconciliation and three “pretty pictures” — pie charts of receipts and expenses and a month‑to‑date unexpended balance summary. Committee members asked questions about a longstanding negative balance in the ‘city center’ fund, which staff said has carried for years and likely reflects prior appropriations, timing differences and accounting treatments; Stevens‑Knott described timing differences (pension charges recorded in one month and paid the next) and outstanding checks as common causes of month‑to‑month differences.

On collection strategy, staff said about 40% of the community is classified as non‑filers for municipal income tax and recounted discussions with RITA (Regional Income Tax Agency) and county collection representatives: the city can pay about $1 per non‑filer for RITA to file administrative collection actions on the city’s behalf, with an expected collection capability in the six‑figure range. The estimated administrative cost to the city is roughly $4,000; staff recommended moving forward to improve collections.

On levies, administration presented draft documents for a renewal street levy and a fire/EMS levy and said Hamilton County must compute and certify property‑tax estimates in time for the November ballot. Staff requested permission to move the levy certification items to the July council agenda to meet county deadlines; committee members asked for the county’s calculated assessed/utility values and for the packet of levy documentation to be circulated in advance.

Ending — Committee members asked staff to circulate the detailed statements and the levy legislation when available and to follow up on the RITA filing cost and process. Staff noted they will send clarifying materials and report back to the July council meeting for formal approval of levy certification language and any recommended collection‑action steps.