SPRINGFIELD — The city of Springfield recorded a budget surplus of $1,016,364 for fiscal year 2013-14, it was announced at Monday night’s City Commission meeting.
The commission used a projected deficit of about $660,000 for the 2014-15 budget as justification for the city’s first property tax of 3.39 mills. What accounts for much of the massive difference is about $750,000 the city received in the Advanced Wastewater Treatment rebate and bond refinancing.
City financial officer Lauren Laramore said the city was unaware of the rebate until the budget process was nearly finalized in late August. It is required that cities decide on a budget before the start of the next fiscal year, Oct. 1. However, the city didn’t pass its budget until Sept. 22.
“Nobody knew that,” Mayor Ralph Hammond said of the AWT bounty the city received.
Concerning the other more than $250,000 in surplus money, Laramore and Hammond attributed that to conservative budgeting of the city departments.
“We would break a shovel and the guys would sand down the handle and keep using it,” Hammond said.
Laramore was aware of the tight budgeting practices employed around the city but said she was still analyzing documents from past financial officers and was unable to project a surplus. Laramore has been the city’s financial and budget officer since June 2013.
“Nobody was doing a good job when I got here,” she said.
Laramore said she might propose a property tax reduction next year. Hammond said the city likely will use the surplus funds on a new software system and possibly a new police vehicle to replace one that was recently totaled.
Animal Control: The city’s recent financial fortune did not prevent the commission from viewing the amount the city is spending on animal control with dismay.
Despite the fact that the city is on an annual contract with Bay County, Hammond said a preponderance of calls in Springfield has led to higher bills. Just one quarter totaled $26,817. Hammond was not blaming the county but repeat citizen offenders for the high number of calls. He would prefer a code enforcement option where residents are fined for calls and possibly face more fines for having too many animals.
“They let their kids go, we put them in jail,” Hammond said. “I don’t know why we can’t fine them if they don’t take care of their animals.”
The commission did not make a decision Monday, preferring further discussion at the Dec. 15 workshop with possible action in January.
In other business, the commission:
- Heard the first reading of an ordinance for special tax assessments, moving code enforcement liens to the tax rolls.
- Approved Christmas bonuses of $350 for city employees, except part-time librarians who will receive $150 each. The commission also set a holiday schedule where a skeleton crew will work Dec. 26 to not have too many days without city employees.
- Announced that Tillman Jones will the be outside employee representative for the civil service board.
