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Boise City reports midyear finances tracking broadly on budget; liquor tax lags
Summary
City finance director said general fund revenues and expenditures were within expected ranges through the second quarter (Jan.–Mar. 2025) while liquor tax receipts trailed projections; personnel vacancy savings and rising development fees offset some pressures.
Boise City finance staff told the City Council on Tuesday that general fund revenues and expenditures were broadly within expected ranges through the second quarter of fiscal 2025 (January–March). Alicia McAndrews, presenting the second-quarter report, said the city had received 49% of budgeted general fund revenues by the end of the quarter and that key indicators were largely steady.
"Overall, I'm pleased to report that the city's general fund revenues and expenditures are tracking within the expected ranges," McAndrews said. She told councilmembers that property tax — the city's largest revenue source — is on track to meet budgeted levels, with the second property tax distribution expected in July, and that development fees were exceeding budget expectations because of large commercial projects.
The report showed that sales tax collections were performing as expected while liquor tax receipts were below projections, a shortfall McAndrews attributed to lower statewide alcohol consumption. On expenditures, the general fund was slightly underspent relative to calendar days: about 47.7% of the budget had been expended by the end of quarter 2. McAndrews said the city’s vacancy rate (about 5.5%) produced some personnel savings, partially offset by overtime and one-time compensation paid earlier in the fiscal year.
McAndrews reviewed categories of operating spending: some items (software and systems maintenance, building and grounds, vehicle maintenance) had passed the 50% benchmark, while fuel and professional services were below midyear targets. She noted the city would continue monthly monitoring and report back in the third quarter with any material changes.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about the liquor tax shortfall and whether budget assumptions for fiscal 2026 had been adjusted. McAndrews confirmed the finance staff had reduced budget assumptions for FY26 to reflect lower liquor-tax expectations.
The presentation closed with McAndrews offering to take additional council questions and to provide any more detailed balances on request.
