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Ephrata staff says funds tracking close to targets; sales tax up slightly year over year
Summary
Finance staff presented the quarter‑one fiscal report showing the general fund roughly on target, sales tax about 1% higher than the comparable period in 2025, and several property‑tax‑dependent funds (library, parks, cemetery) tracking as expected while fuel tax showed a recent dip now trending upward.
Kristen, the city’s finance staff member, presented the quarter‑one fiscal activity and walked council through fund‑by‑fund summaries.
“...this is our quarterly report for quarter one,” Kristen said, noting the general fund is sitting near expected quarter‑to‑date targets and that sales‑tax receipts are about 1% higher than the same period in 2025. She told the council that property‑tax‑dependent funds — including the library and parks funds — were under their target percentages for the quarter but were receiving late property‑tax payments that should bring them closer to expected proportions later in the fiscal year.
Kristen described specific funds: the parks fund (about 18% revenue, 15% expenses for the quarter), a TBD tax/grant reserve fund that waits on project reimbursements, the street fund (low revenue expected for now), and a cemetery fund that is substantially subsidized by property tax. She said fuel‑tax receipts dipped sharply earlier in 2025 but have since returned to an upward trend.
Councilmembers asked about the equipment‑rental internal fund and the switch to enterprise fleet management. Kristen said anticipated cost increases have not yet materialized but staff will continue to monitor future quarters.
No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational and staff asked council members to review the written packet provided.
