Parker is flush with year-end cash

PARKER — Mayor Rich Musgrave will give the Parker City Council a detailed report of the city’s year-end finances at its meeting 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Musgrave attributed the city’s ability to deposit $200,000 and $480,000, respectively, in reserve funds, the latter designated for capital improvements, to its conservative budgeting practices in 2013.

Like Springfield, Parker received a significant amount in a AWT refund and refinancing, $280,000. Still, he said the city underspent by $100,000 in the general fund and earned $30,000 more than expected.

“I want them to see the funds on hand we have for the purposes we agreed upon,” Musgrave said.

Those purposes include street paving, which Musgrave also will bring before the council even though they were approved in the budget.

In other business Tuesday, the council is expected to consider:

— Approving a contract with Infrastructure Corporation of America. ICA will pay Parker about $19,000 to mow and pick up trash along state roadways, in particular Tyndall Parkway and U.S. Business 98. Musgrave said previous problems with the contract, mostly strict penalties if work was not completed to a satisfactory level, were removed. The city will be paid retroactively starting July 1, 2014.

— Approving the transfer of two certificate of deposits to new Parker bank People’s South. Musgrave said the city will have an interest that is more favorable by 10 percent compared to the former bank. The city is considering moving all of its banking services.

— Goals for 2015. Musgrave wants commissioners to consider long term plans for Parker. An example he gave was for beautification modifications to U.S. Business 98.