The Jefferson city council is exploring establishing an emergency fund within the city budget due, in part, to federal funds coming in as pandemic relief.
City administrator Mike Palmer reported at the Aug. 10 city council meeting that the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, was “a pretty good, steady year for us.”
The council’s finance committee had met to discuss the financial report for April-June, the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. The report shows $196,000(9.33 percent) more revenue than budgeted, with half of that being in property tax collection. The overage in property taxes was the result of accounting for the state “back-fill” on commercial property taxes. That hasn’t been reflected in previous budgets, Palmer said, but will be going forward.
Also, the police department received $90,000 from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act.
Expenses were $191,500 (91.73 percent) less than budgeted, with some of the savings due to reduced payrolls at the municipal pool, library, parks and recreation.
The finance committee has talked with financial advisor Tim Oswald of Piper Sandler about revising the city’s financial policy to include an emergency fund. The city would maintain a general fund balance of at least 50 percent of annual expenses, and transfer any funds over that amount into an emergency fund. Those funds would be available to respond to events such as a major flood or a derecho. The council would have discretion in spending the funds.
Palmer told the council there will be further discussion at the Sept. 14 regular meeting.
Council member Pat Zmolek reported the police committee met after the last council meeting and began studying vicious animal ordinance from other communities. That was in response to a presentation by a resident at the July 27 meeting regarding her small dog being mauled and killed by two larger dogs as she walked him. “We’ll continue going down that path and see if we come up with a recommendation,” Zmolek said.
There was no mention of discussion of transgender use of the swimming pool, another topic on which much time was spent at the July 27 meeting.
The council set a public hearing for Aug. 24 on detailed plans and specifications, form of contact, and estimate of cost for the Greene County animal shelter. Bidding will be open after that public hearing, with the due date for bids set for Sept. 9.
