Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Finances Quarterly topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Port Richey finance director reports positive year‑to‑date revenues, $1.34M in storm cleanup costs and underused CRA grants
Summary
At the quarterly department presentation the finance director said general fund and utility revenue exceeded expenditures year‑to‑date, reported roughly $1.34 million in storm cleanup costs submitted to FEMA, and flagged underused Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) grant funds as well as red-light camera revenue running below budget.
The Port Richey finance director presented a quarterly update showing year‑to‑date revenues exceeded expenditures and flagged several items for council follow-up, including FEMA storm‑cleanup reimbursements, underused CRA grant funds and lower‑than‑expected red‑light camera revenues.
Finance Director (Thompson) told council that, as of March 25, the city had recorded approximately $10,672,000 in total revenue and $7,639,000 in expenditures, leaving a positive year‑to‑date position. He said general fund revenues were $5,093,955 with general fund expenditures at $4,338,159 and an available general fund appropriation balance of about $3.7 million.
Thompson said the city had incurred about $1.34 million in storm cleanup costs (Category D-related debris and brush removal) and was pursuing FEMA reimbursement through the expedited program; a state review was underway and the first check was expected imminently. Thompson also noted $531,000 in insurance receipts and a $65,277 FEMA check that have not yet been appropriated, and recommended a budget amendment to appropriate those funds once received.
On capital spending, Thompson reported $4.8 million budgeted for capital improvements but only about $14,205 spent as of the March snapshot; he said departments had placed orders that should accelerate outlays. He told council that some capital and grant funds remain unused — notably CRA residential and commercial grant allocations (each $100,000), of which only limited sums had been disbursed — and urged more active outreach so residents and businesses use available grant dollars.
The director also reported that red‑light camera revenues were underperforming the budgeted $1.6 million: the program had realized about $665,000 through March, leaving a projected shortfall. Staff attributed part of the shortfall to aging, unprocessed violations that become uncollectible; collection efforts and process fixes were underway.
Council and staff discussed fuel, sewer billing timing issues, and the need to centralize purchasing and payroll bookkeeping. The finance director said the city plans to consolidate utility-billing staffing and create a purchasing clerk to centralize acquisitions control.
Council asked staff to prepare any needed budget amendments to appropriate incoming FEMA and insurance reimbursements and to step up CRA grant outreach so the community can access the available funds.
