Finance director returns and presents January financials; TIF and revenue spikes discussed

Danielle Barby, Old Town's finance director, told the finance committee she was back full‑time and had prepared January financial reports, noting January closes the seventh month of the fiscal year and that expenditures are roughly on track for a 58% benchmark.

"Today is my first day back full‑time," Barby said, adding, "we should be about 58%" when comparing expenditures to the fiscal year timeline. She said there were no major missing revenue sources but that some prior entries required reclassification.

Committee members pressed on several revenue items. Barby explained that increases in building, electrical and plumbing permit fees reflect remodeling and new construction and that a recent rise in airplane excise taxes resulted from several aircraft registered to Old Town in the past 15 months. She also flagged a $140,000 posting under 'pay as you throw' bag sales that appears to be a misclassified tipping fee and said she would contact the contractor for clarification.

On the city's TIF (tax‑increment financing) projects, Barby described the routine funding practice: capital reserve transfers are commonly made in June after project work is tracked through the year and reimbursements processed. "You typically see our TIF expense match or very closely match our TIF revenue," she said.

Barby noted January expenditures included semiannual payments such as workers' compensation that temporarily raise the central services total and that some police travel and training costs are higher now pending grant reimbursements that will offset them.

The committee asked for more detailed, color‑coded reports for quick review; Barby agreed to provide them. No formal budget amendments were approved at the meeting.