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Council opens FY2024–25 budget review; nonresident pool/pavilion fees, tech contracts flagged for follow‑up
Summary
Council held the first review of the FY2024–25 operating budget, discussed tightening revenue assumptions, requested historical sales‑tax data, and asked staff to consider higher nonresident fees for the pool and pavilion and software consolidation for finance/IT.
Shenandoah city staff opened the first FY2024–25 budget discussion on July 10, advising council the presentation is preliminary because property tax certifications are not yet final and sales‑tax numbers are still being incorporated.
Staff said property tax values will not be certified until July 25 and that interest revenue assumptions were reduced to avoid reliance on temporarily high rates. Council asked staff to provide a historical sales‑tax chart back to 2013 to help frame revenue expectations.
On fees, a council member suggested raising nonresident pavilion and pool prices to align with neighboring jurisdictions (a pavilion fee suggestion around $90 and daily pool passes near $20 were mentioned). Staff said current nonresident pavilion fees are $35 and will review comparables. Council also discussed potential changes to family pool pass pricing for nonresidents.
Technology costs drew attention: staff reported significant increases for technology services and software, and said the city is evaluating and demoing options (including Questica and EnCode) with a view toward consolidating financial and permitting systems. Council expressed support for moving to more contracted services to build capacity.
Other department notes included moving a part‑time finance employee to full time (reported budget‑neutral), an increase in audit/legal notice costs driven by contracts and statutory postings, and the retirement and removal of a part‑time community‑development inspector. Staff said many department increases are modest and that larger items (police and public works) will be discussed later in the process.
What happens next: Staff will return with updated revenue numbers after tax certifications, the requested historic sales‑tax data, and more detailed proposals on fees and technology options at upcoming workshops.
