Stevensville finance report flags low reserves, airport and sewer cost pressures

Town staff presented a cash and budget report at the July 16 Stevensville Town Council meeting that showed constrained reserves in the general fund and cost pressures in several enterprise accounts.

Robert and Gina (identified in the meeting as town staff) told the council the town bank balance and general fund remain low. "If you look at kind of the concerning 1 is the general fund, it's staying about 237,000," a staff speaker said. The tax increment financing (TIF) fund was reported at about $338,000. The airport fund was called out as unusually low "—it's 33,000"—and staff said the airport's purchase of a fuel tank this year contributed to that overrun but would start generating revenue once in service.

Staff said overall spending closed the year at roughly 84% of budget and that the town will propose budget amendments for building code enforcement because the town had more inspections than anticipated. Water and sewer enterprise funds were noted as over budget: water about 9% over and sewer about 4% over, according to staff remarks.

Councilors asked questions about particular claims and next steps. Staff said the airport tank lease and future revenue could offset some overages and that the town will present more details during the August budget workshop. No formal budget changes or appropriations were made at the July 16 meeting.

The report included several specific figures brought up during discussion: the TIF fund balance (~$338,000), an alleged general fund figure (~$237,000), and staff-quoted overspending percentages for water and sewer. The town will hold a budget workshop on Aug. 7 and continue refining projections before any formal budget amendments.