02-13-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 13, 2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. (13. AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE 2012 SQUAD CARS, Continued) Famiok stated he attempts to be as fiscally responsible as possible, but that they had a car in 2009 that hit a tree and was totaled out. It is difficult to determine when cars will break down and that this is the replacement schedule the police department likes to follow. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 2, Printup and Rahn Opposed. Rahn stated he would have liked to have purchased one Dodge Charger now and then wait six months before ordering another vehicle to see whether it is truly needed. 14. 2011 YEAR -END RECAP Olson reported the budget numbers for 2011 have been finalized. It was necessary to make some estimates for a couple of items where the bill has not yet been received. Revenues are currently at 102.3 percent of budget and expenditures are at 97.9 percent of budget. Current taxes collected are at 97.98 percent, which is better than in the past few years. Revenues for licenses and permits were at 155 %, the highest it's been since 2006. • Olson noted two'revenue categories finished the year under budget.. Other Governmental Revenues ended the year at 92.8 percent of budget due to lower reimbursements from the state. The other category was the golf course. The poor weather this past year had a negative impact on the number of rounds played • during the season. Olson reported property tax collections in 2001 and 2004 were at 99 percent, but as the economy worsened, the City's tax collections dropped down to under 97 percent. In 2010, they had flattened out but are on the increase again, which is a positive sign that the economy is getting better. McMillan asked if the taxes get paid when a house is foreclosed. Olson indicated the City would eventually get the money once the house is resold. Mattick stated the City could do a tax foreclosure, which takes five years, or wait for the bank to foreclose on the property. Once the foreclosed property is ready to be sold, the County requires that all taxes are brought current. Olson stated the other revenue that increased this past year is building permit revenue, which in large part was due to roof hail damage. Expenditures for 2011 came in at 98 percent, with four departments being over budget at the end of the year. Olson stated in approximately two weeks he will be providing budget adjustments to those line items. The City should be able to decrease the contingency line item and cover the overages in the budget. Franchot asked what was budgeted for contingency. Olson indicated it was at $50,000. McMillan asked what the special services fee is for. • Page 20 of 22