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Lancaster finance staff reports an unusually large March for capital spending, unveils meter‑replacement rollout
Summary
Finance staff told the council March spending included roughly $6 million in capital expenditures — about $3 million for a named CIP project and about $3 million for meter replacement — and said meter replacements are scheduled to begin in mid‑May; staff said carryover budgeted for one‑time CIP expenses funded the spending.
At the Lancaster City Council meeting, finance staff presented the city’s March cash‑management report and described an unusually high level of capital spending for the month.
Finance staff said the city recorded roughly $6 million in one‑month capital expenditures in March — approximately $3 million to finish a named capital project and another roughly $3 million to buy new water meters for a meter‑replacement project. Staff said the purchases were planned and that the city budgeted to use fund carryover for one‑time CIP expenses.
The finance presentation included collection numbers: general‑fund property tax revenue was reported at about 95.5% of budget and hospitality tax receipts were reported at roughly 78% of budget for March. Staff said some revenues and transfers that affect unrestricted cash were still pending at month‑end and that reported cash balances would look stronger once transfers were completed.
Staff also told council members the meter‑replacement rollout is expected to begin in mid‑May, replacing aging mechanical meters purchased roughly 25 years ago with new digital units intended to reduce revenue loss and maintenance demands.
Council members asked whether ARPA funds remain and about the status of the city audit. Finance staff said most ARPA funds have been used except for an identified park project and said the audit is nearing completion with a few remaining questions to address with auditors.
The council heard no motion to change budgets at this meeting; staff will return with routine budget and audit updates as required.
