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Finance director: Measure B sales tax closed higher than estimate; committee to send quarterly expenditure report to council
Summary
Finance Director Anna Nicholas told the Atwater Citizens Oversight Committee the Measure B public-safety transaction tax is expected to close FY24/25 modestly above estimates and reviewed packet documents; members asked for clarity on unaudited figures and asked staff to forward a standardized quarterly report to City Council.
Anna Nicholas, Atwater’s finance director, told the Citizens Oversight Committee that packet materials include two accounts-payable transaction reports, unaudited budget-status reports for fiscal years 24/25 and 25/26, and the Measure B (public safety transaction and use tax) fund pages pulled from the adopted budget. She said the city expects Measure B sales-tax receipts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, to close modestly above projections — initially citing $5,590,000 and later characterizing the unaudited close as about $5,500,000 — and that general‑fund sales tax receipts are expected near $4,570,000.
Nicholas explained the difference between the Bradley‑Burns 1% situs tax that funds the general fund and the Measure B 1% destination‑based add‑on: destination tax receipts from purchases made outside city limits can flow back to Atwater in Measure B, while Bradley‑Burns amounts are reduced by an estimated county sharing payment (Nicholas said the county share for FY24/25 is roughly $242,000). She told the committee that the FY25/26 estimate of $5,274,000 from contracted consultants remains within forecasted ranges and that staff will review second‑quarter sales‑tax data before midyear budget activity.
Committee members pressed for clarity on the numbers and for confirmation that the figures presented are unaudited. Nicholas reiterated the figures were unaudited and subject to adjustment after the formal audit and ledger postings. The committee agreed the standardized expenditure‑review form staff circulated should be used to report quarterly findings to City Council; staff said Measure B requires at least an annual report and that quarterly reporting would be a staff‑driven enhancement to improve transparency.
The committee did not take formal binding action on budget modifications during the meeting; staff said any recommended changes would be brought to Council for consideration after audit and further review.
