City staff reports revenues at 65% and urges earlier budget workshop as sales tax softens

City staff presented the monthly financial report and a draft budget calendar, telling the council general-fund revenues stood at 65% of budget and overall expenditures at about 55.1% for the period ending April 30.

"The overall percentage of revenues for the general fund is 65%," said Jillian, a city staff member, explaining that property-tax collections earlier in the year affect the timing of revenue recognition and that sales-tax receipts remain below prior levels.

Jillian said expenditures for the general fund were roughly 55.1% year-to-date, leaving a net positive position so far. On the utility fund, staff reported about 53.9% of the year elapsed and 58% of budgeted revenue, with prior-year comparisons showing modest improvement.

A council member pressed staff on the aggregate variance, noting, "taking the sums of the property variance and the sales tax, we're looking at about negative 6.5% from the budget." Jillian responded that May was running about 7% behind and pointed to an additional capital-projects report included in the packet that details beginning budgets, prior-year and current-year expenses, other funding sources, and remaining balances.

Another council member suggested scheduling a budget review sooner than the calendar's suggested August workshop, proposing a date in June so council and staff could examine midyear standings before key calendar milestones.

Staff said they would coordinate with the city manager to set an earlier review and prepare a draft budget packet for council review prior to the workshop.