Sedalia finance update: sales tax slightly down, transportation tax higher; city reviews fiscal variances

City finance staff provided an update to the Sedalia City Council on May 19 showing mixed revenue results through the current fiscal year.

Jessica Pyle presented fiscal‑year‑to‑date figures and said net sales and use tax is down about $45,000, or roughly 1.5%. "We had budgeted a 4% increase for this coming fiscal year. So there is a variance of around a hundred and $68,000," Pyle said. She noted the payment received this month was lower than last May but more in line with historical averages; last May's payment had been about 11.8% higher than average.

Pyle also reported on newer revenue sources and other taxes: the marijuana tax that began on cash registers in October 2023 is now providing a full fiscal year comparison and is "off slightly from the prior fiscal year," she said. Franchise and electric tax receipts were lower year to date (Pyle cited $132,000 down for the electric tax fiscal year to date). By contrast, transportation tax receipts were higher, which staff attributed to a 5.2% increase in gasoline tax, 17.2% higher vehicle sales, and 4.3% higher vehicle fees. Pyle reminded the council that property taxes primarily come in December and January and are therefore low in these year‑to‑date numbers.

Council members asked for clarification and had no immediate objections to the presented figures. The finance report was accepted as presented; staff did not recommend new actions at the meeting but will continue monitoring receipts as the fiscal year progresses.