Monona staff reports $147,000 net income for 2024; sewer charges and pool overrun flagged

Finance staff presented the City of Monona’s 2024 year-end financial report to the Finance and Personnel Committee on March 3, reporting a net general-fund surplus of about $147,000 and a projected fund balance of $2,072,000, roughly 26 percent of expenditures. The report noted several department variances, higher-than-budgeted sewer charges tied to Madison Metro Sewer District, and a pool operating deficit that contributed to a community-center fund shortfall.

Presenter Mark summarized the numbers and highlighted key contributors. "It's basically 147,000," Mark said when describing the general fund net income. He told the committee the projected fund balance was about $2,072,000 and that interest income exceeded budget by $280,000. He said planning department revenues netted about $76,000, police and dispatch netted about $91,000, and public-works-related budgets collectively ended roughly $42,000 favorable.

Several expense pressures were noted: the fire budget was about $53,000 over net of revenues, legal costs were roughly $58,000 over, and information-technology costs were about $40,000 over budget though some of that may be prepaid expense timing. The community-center/rec/senior/pool fund showed a net negative $28,000 after a $36,000 pool overrun. The library showed an approximate $48,000 loss and EMS decreased by about $44,000; these funds keep separate fund balances under state practice and are not counted in bond-rating ratios used for the general fund.

On utilities, Mark reported the water utility is on track with a larger-than-budgeted surplus (about $500,000), which he said is consistent with bond covenants and the way rates are set. The sewer bill from Madison Metro Sewerage District was flagged: Mark said the city was billed about $1,113,000, roughly $113,000 (about 20%) over budgeted amounts based on MMSD projections, and staff are investigating the variance and seeking more detailed breakdowns from MMSD. "We are doing research trying to figure out" the cause of the higher charges, Mark said.

Stormwater accounting showed a $5,000 loss on the income statement but Mark said that presentation is an accounting effect related to borrowing for a stormwater-quality plan; cash flow remains adequate and the underlying project was budgeted with borrowed funds that will be spent over time.

The committee accepted the general-fund accounts payable checks dated Feb. 14–27, 2025, which the clerk noted include a large county distribution line item to other districts. The clerk read a Dane County Treasurer disbursement amount of $1,468,395 as part of February payments; other notable items in the packet included equipment repairs (~$9,600) and an electric-vehicle purchase where Monona expects a county reimbursement.

Why it matters: the report confirms the city closed 2024 with a modest general-fund surplus and an above-target fund balance, but it also highlights cost pressures — especially from external sewer bills and a pool operating deficit — that could affect future budgets and utility rates.

Ending: staff will continue to work with Madison Metro Sewerage District on the billing variance, finalize audit preparations in early April, and return with any necessary budget follow-ups.