City's finances ending better than expected

During their last regular meeting of 2014, Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday approved some amendments to the city's budget.

Due to additional revenue the city brought in this year that was above what was projected, the city's 2014 budget required amendments that will allow the city to spend that money.

Director of Finance Jon Garrison said the budget amendment is a typical annual process that serves as an "end-of-year cleanup" concerning the city's budget.

"There were eight different funds where we received additional revenue above what we thought we would have," Garrison said. "This gives us budget authority to allow us to spend that money."

According to a city document, the funds to be amended, followed by budgeted expenditures for this year and proposed amended expenditures, include the general fund ($5.7 million to $6.2 million), the library fund ($224,700 to $225,137), library employee benefits fund ($39,202 to $39,656), equipment reserve fund ($60,000 to $200,000), capital improvement fund ($165,000 to $664,774), special parks and recreation fund ($32,454 to $48,297), transient guest tax fund ($48,000 to $80,000), and the community improvement district fund ($21,500 to $24,064).

Garrison said the amendments will not have any affect on local taxes or the city's mill levy.

Garrison also provided an update for commissioners on the status of the city's budget at the end of 2014. He said several city funds "are up" at the end of the year.

"Based on those budget amendments, if the year ended today, there would be about $1.3 million greater in cash than what we thought," he said. "That's spread over several funds."

"That tells me we're doing a good job of managing taxpayer dollars," he said. "Everything's looking pretty good."

City Manager Dave Martin commented on the city's budget and finances at the end of 2014, adding several projects the city is working on are for the betterment of the city and community.

"We've spent a lot of money and in my opinion on the right things," he said. "We're in good financial straits and that means we're working productively and not going over budget."

In other business, commissioners:

* Heard a report from Buck Run Community Center Director Tom Robertson on possible recreation activities and events in Fort Scott that are in the works for next year.

* Approved the consent agenda, which included appropriation ordinances totaling $863,693, and a modification order to remove one 175-watt mercury vapor street light at 1530 S. Broadway and install one 70-watt high-pressure sodium street light on a wood pole at that address. They also approved 2015 Cereal Malt Beverage Licenses for several local businesses and organizations.

* Took no action following a 10-minute executive session that included commissioners, Martin and City Attorney Bob Farmer to discuss matters of non-elected personnel and legal issues.