Davie reports steady first-quarter finances; stormwater assessment, reserve use noted

Budget Finance Director Bill Ackerman told the Town of Davie Town Council on Feb. 19 that the town had received about 56% of its general-fund revenue for fiscal year 2025 through the first quarter, and had spent about 19% of the general fund as of Dec. 31, 2024.

Ackerman said ad valorem (property) taxes, the town’s largest revenue source at approximately 39% of general fund revenue, were at about 89% collected and ‘‘on target for collecting 100% for the fiscal year.’’ He said other revenue categories showed mixed timing effects because many sources make only one or two payments early in the fiscal year. ‘‘Normally after the first quarter you'd expect items to be 25% in the first 3 months. However, a lot of the revenues ... we only received about 1 or 2 payments for the fiscal year which is normal,’’ Ackerman said.

The nut graf: The report outlines timing-driven variances rather than systemic shortfalls — but flagged a few items for continued monitoring, including a first-year stormwater assessment collection short of expectations, an outstanding $1 million donation for the DeGeorge Club gym, and planned use of reserves to cover approved programs and projects.

Ackerman outlined key line items: permit, fees and assessments were at 62% (driven largely by a fire assessment at 91% collection); the new stormwater assessment was at 86% and ‘‘we will be reviewing the rolls and adjustments may need to be made;’’ local option fuel tax and communication services taxes were within expected ranges given payment timing; and building and engineering permits were at roughly 24% and 35% respectively. He said intergovernmental revenue looked low at 15% because some grant proceeds — including a roughly $500,000 grant for forensic/assault kit work — had not been received yet.

On miscellaneous receipts, Ackerman said interest and investment income was at about 41% for the quarter, and noted the town has not yet received a $1 million donation for the DeGeorge Club gym: ‘‘We haven't received that yet. We are hopeful to get that by the end of this fiscal year. If not, it may come in next fiscal year.’’ He added that the town does not plan related expenditures until the revenue is received.

Ackerman also said the town is using approximately $7,000,000 of general-fund reserves toward items approved previously, including wetland maintenance, tree preservation reserves, opioid programs and capital improvement projects. He described two large transfers into the general fund: about $1 million per year expected from the Community Redevelopment Agency to repay a prior loan, and roughly $500,000 from the CIP fund as projects were closed out.

Expenditures overall were at 19% for the general fund. Ackerman noted personnel services were at about 20%, modestly under pro rata expectations because of current vacancies; operating expenditures were at 17%; capital outlay and grant spending had been limited so far (the largest capital outlays noted were for Davie Pro Rodeo expenses and Motorola equipment); and debt service spending had not yet started for the fiscal year because bond payments were not due in the first quarter.

Ackerman closed by saying staff will continue to monitor receipts and spending throughout the fiscal year: ‘‘We have a lot more transactions coming through the town ... we'll continue to keep an eye on everything and we'll see where it takes us.’’

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda approved (items 2, 4 and 11 handled separately as revised; motion to approve consent agenda minus items 2, 4 and 11 passed unanimously). - Staff motion to table item 16 (site plan) to March 19 — motion seconded; passed unanimously. - Motion to approve item 2 as revised — passed unanimously. - Motion to approve item 11 as revised — passed unanimously. - Motion to approve item 4 (legislative agenda) — passed unanimously. - Final reading, land-use amendment LA22-207 (Delgado Medical Office Building) — roll-call supermajority required and recorded; motion passed (all present voted yes). - Ordinance first/other readings: code amendments for owner duty when dog bites (item 19), chapter-specific prohibitions (item 20; hearing March 5), unsafe buildings (item 21; hearing March 5) — motions to approve carried (roll calls recorded, motions passed). - Rate increases for water and sewer services (item 22) — motion to approve carried (roll call recorded). - Rezoning ZB22-208 (Delgado Medical Office Building) — motion to approve carried (roll call recorded). - Variance V24-054 (Flamingo Gardens) — motion to approve carried (roll call recorded). - Variance V24-168 (applicant at 10101 SW 40th St.) — motion to approve with a stipulation (annual inspection schedule and limitation to art-studio use) — motion by Councilmember Starkey, second by Mayor Paul; roll call recorded and motion passed.

Why this matters: The quarterly snapshot shows the town’s revenue mix and timing effects that drive fluctuating first-quarter percentages; the council is using reserves and transfers to support approved projects and will monitor the $1 million donation and first-year stormwater assessment collections to determine if policy adjustments are needed.

Ending: Council members asked no detailed follow-up after Ackerman’s presentation; staff will continue to provide financial updates and monitor the flagged items over the remainder of the fiscal year.