Balch Springs finance director reports April 2025 results; franchise fees, property taxes ahead of plan

Tam Beatty, Balch Springs chief financial officer, presented the April 2025 monthly financial report, telling the council that franchise fees and property-tax collections exceeded expectations and that several accounting and system changes will move into May figures.

Beatty reported property-tax collections at 102.2% of expected levels and franchise fees above projections for the month, noting Encore had paid franchise fees for the year. Sales tax receipts were at 33.78% but recorded in arrears; Beatty said the city began journalizing sales tax as collected. She also said interest earnings were below budget at 23.77% and that the city reallocated deposits into an investment account to improve yields; interest allocation across funds will be updated in May after a budget amendment.

Other figures Beatty reported: building-permit-driven licenses and permits at about 70.9% of budget, fines and forfeitures at about 80.6% (traffic tickets up), utility fund revenue at 64.15% year-to-date, water tap fees at 17.16%, vehicle-replacement fund revenue at 83.6% and debt-service revenue near 96.9% with expenditures to follow larger scheduled payments in August.

Beatty said the finance team has been reconciling accounts, correcting balances and working through the transition to new systems; some revenues will trend lower in the near term because of reconciliation adjustments. She said a prior budget amendment will be reflected in May once council’s prior approval is recorded in the monthly statements.

Ending: Council received the report; Beatty answered members’ questions about collections, online payment fees and staffing for customer service and billing.