Warrenton board adopts fiscal 2024 budget; finance officer reports revenue gains

The Warrenton Board of Aldermen voted 5-0 with one member absent on Nov. 5 to adopt ordinance 60-24, the city's budget for fiscal year 2024. The vote came after the finance officer summarized recent revenue performance and proposed reallocations.

Finance Officer Megan Walker told the board that year-to-date sales-tax revenue for the general fund was about $201,000 above projections, the transportation fund was up about $70,000, and the interchange fund was up about $160,000. She said charges for services were roughly $45,000 over projections, pool receipts outperformed expectations by $20,000, and the sale of a Willow Road property brought $290,000 in one-time proceeds. Water and sewer revenues were about $295,000 above projections, driven by a sewer connection fee and industrial sewer receipts.

Walker described expense variances and said the city was reallocating planned but unused appropriations. "The only thing that is increasing per se is the ARPA," Walker said, noting roughly $185,000 of ARPA funds would be reflected in adjustments. Earlier in the meeting City Administrator Brandy Walters reported that $188,079 remained in ARPA funds and that those funds must be allocated or spent by Dec. 31.

Walters also said the tourism committee recommended paying Tribute to Veterans Memorial $9,991.17 for utilities, cleaning and landscaping; the board approved that payment as a budgeted item. Walters reminded the board a budget work session to review capital and operating summaries is scheduled for Dec. 10 at 5 p.m.

The ordinance (bill 60-24) was read and adopted during the meeting; the roll-call vote was recorded as 5-0 in favor with one member absent. The adoption completes the formal approval of the fiscal year spending plan for the city but leaves implementation details and specific capital procurements to department requests and subsequent approvals.