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McAlester finance director reports general-fund shortfall and stronger hotel-tax receipts for August
Summary
Finance staff reported a year-to-date general-fund shortfall of about $377,000 through August; sales-tax revenues lag slightly behind the fiscal-year pace while MPWA and hotel tax receipts performed relatively well. Staff plans a redesigned financial packet next month.
McAlester — City finance staff presented the monthly financial report for the period ending August 2025, telling the council that the general fund is slightly behind the pace of the fiscal year while the McAlester Public Works Authority (MPWA) and hotel-tax receipts show stronger performance.
Staff said 16.67% of the fiscal year is complete; general-fund revenues were at about 15.6% while expenditures were at roughly 16.16%, leaving an estimated general-fund shortfall of approximately $377,000 year-to-date. Use tax and sales tax trends were discussed in sector breakdowns; retail trade remains the largest source of sales tax. The finance presenter noted a plan to provide a redesigned, more graphical packet next month to make trends clearer for council review.
Staff highlighted hotel-tax revenues for August (about $94,000), the MPWA fund performing ahead of expected expenditures, and a TIF payoff timetable that could free up an estimated $1 million a year for the city when the TIF expires. Bond-payment obligations were summarized (bond payment noted at $487,000), and staff reviewed reserves and dedicated funds.
Councilors asked clarifying questions about specific line items, the TIF payoff timeline and whether refunded dedicated taxes would be reallocated. Staff said a corrected calculation on a tax-rate display (8.5%) will be provided.
The report closed with a request that council members bring questions to staff; the council acknowledged the utility of a cleaner packet for future months.
