Finance Director Lonnie Clark told council on Monday the city was not hitting its projected budgeted mark by about three percent through the end of June, but he saw the city turning a corner and expected a better outcome by the end of the year. New revenue from the sewer fee increase would begin to show up in the August numbers, July is anticipated to be a good month for sales tax, and the Fire Department should begin to catch up with Medicare collections for its EMS calls.
Various questions for Clark revealed the intricacies of accounting for a city’s finances. He pointed out the city must pay sales tax to the State on the parking fee revenue it receives. July was likely a good month for sales tax yet August is looking tepid, but regardless there are projected expenses to be paid, plus surprises.
Mayor Butch Berry lauded department heads for keeping expenses under control, although revenues lag. He hoped for better numbers once revenue from the peak season roll in. He noted that Branson, Mo., a community with big box stores, entertainment venues, and two large shopping centers, is up over the previous year by only 3.2 percent, “so we’re not doing so bad.”