Finance director gives first-quarter Riverside Village update; 2-mill increase cited as funding source for raises and positions

At the study session, Finance Director Linda Williamson presented the city’s voluntary first-quarter financial update for the Riverside Village project and broader municipal revenue statistics; the report will be uploaded to the municipal EMMA site.

Williamson told council that a 2-mill tax increase approved by council in November financed a 3% cost-of-living increase for employees, seven new citywide positions, and capital vehicle and equipment purchases without financing. "That 2 mil tax increase allowed for, 3% cola to all of our employees, the addition of 7 new positions citywide, and the purchase and replacement of new vehicles, machinery, and equipment without having to finance those items," she said. Williamson emphasized several figures are unaudited and will be updated after the 2025 financial audit completes.

She highlighted quarter-one collection increases in hospitality taxes (roughly $700,000 in quarter 1, up about $96,000 year-over-year) and accommodations-tax receipts (unaudited 2025 collections showed more than $550,000, a rise of about 13.5%); she also reported general obligation bond payments and a $350,000 scheduled payment to the county under the governmental agreement. Linda said the city did not levy any midyear assessments this year because taxable revenue projections exceeded thresholds used for midyear levies.

Councilors asked whether the spike in admissions tax reflected attendance or timing; Williamson explained the Department of Revenue and the team’s timing meant some payments recorded early and said she did not expect a similar spike in the coming year. The finance presentation concluded with staff noting the report will be posted to EMMA and submitted as the official quarterly packet item.