SPRINGFIELD — Since the city of Springfield disclosed it had a $1,016,346 surplus at the end of fiscal year 2013-14, numerous Springfield residents have called the city asking why commissioners approved the city’s first-ever property tax.
“I’ve been getting calls — Lee’s (Penton, city clerk) been getting calls — ever since that’s been printed,” Mayor Ralph Hammond said.
Hammond laid out all of the unplanned revenue the city received that contributed to Springfield’s budget surplus for the 2013-14 budget. The city received $200,000 for the sale of a cell tower, $450,765 in bond reserve refinancing with the Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) group, $6,900 from a police department grant, $300,000 from an AWT refund for materials and repairs, $33,000 from the sale of Springfield cable and $25,699 in other revenue sources.
Hammond also reports the city already has spent $716,346 to pay past bills and monthly payments with Gulf Power, Bay County Water, Sewer and Animal Control, vendors and contracts, and any other debts outside of scheduled payments. The remaining $300,000 will be placed in a reserve fund.
The payment of bills occurred even though city officials maintain they were unaware $750,000 in AWT funding was coming in late August and did not bring up the windfall of AWT money until December. Hammond added the reserve will not be used for purchasing a police car or software system, despite what he said after the last commission meeting.
“We don’t have a million dollars,” Hammond said.
The commission used a projected 2014-15 budget deficit of about $660,000 to justify the city’s first property tax of 3.48 mills in late September. Included in that deficit was a $97,121 deficit in the water fund. The commission maintains it did not know the surplus was coming.
In other business Monday, the commission:
Approved the purchase of a police car for $44,889, the funding for which will come out of the city’s general fund. The car replaces a 2010 Crown Victoria, one of the department’s newer vehicles, totaled in a recent accident. Insurance paid $8,146, leaving the remaining cost of $36,743. Springfield is purchasing a new vehicle, most likely an SUV, with three other police vehicles that already are included in the 2014-15 budget. The new vehicle should be ready by March.
Approved the purchase of a new phone system for $30,918, replacing a broken system. The phone system was in the process of being installed, Penton said, while the meeting was taking place.
Discussed options to reduce the cost of Animal Control.
