An independent audit of the city's finances declares Batavia in "improving financial stability." For only the second time in the past five years, the city recorded a surplus in its general fund. Thanks to an excess of revenue over spending of $1,652,361, the city logged $617,218 in surplus and chipped away at the "undesignated" deficit, which shrank from $1,860,906 to $365,895.
Auditors Freed, Maxick and Battaglia chalk up the successful year to "cautious revenue and expenditure budgeting," the increase of more than $800,000 in property tax revenue owing to a higher tax rate, state aid for struggling cities and the elimination of seven full-time and 12 part-time employees. The last saved the city approximately $460,000 in personnel expenses.
And the future, too, looks bright:
These efforts along with continual expense monitoring and revenue improvements will assist in regaining long term fiscal solvency, while building a healthy fund balance and investing in capital equipment, City facilities and infrastructure.
The three part audit runs well over 100 pages and paints a much more nuanced portrait of the city's financial state, and addresses such topics as the imminent consolidation of city police and county sheriff dispatch crews, future savings from fixing leaks in the city's water lines and the ongoing arbitration with the police union.
We'll inspect the document more closely over the next week, but in the meantime, let's just let the graphics speak for themselves.
Comments
Pool rules
What a joke. When the "wing ding" first started it was great and there were so many people.
Now it's all classic cars and nothing else. If you want to save money, just QUIT!!!
Too many cars and not enough activities for families with kids. WHAT A JOKE
Please, go here and read this. http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/scott-desmit-bickering-council... And look up Mr. DeSmit's columns on the Richmond Library website before taking me to task for any references I made with with which you're not familiar . And go to my name in The Batavian users list for further clarification.
And just for my sake, try to get my last name right, ok?
Thanks.
Laura Russell-Ricci for Council '09?
Politicians who are elected work for the people that elected them, not the other way around. I wish voters would remember that. Taxes should be put right back into the community. I know as a tax payer that my hard earned, hard to keep paychecks should not be wasted.
Most important, those who came from out of our area left with a very postive impression of the city.
Perhaps Donna wanted a midway with carnival rides. That would be fun and certainly family friendly. Perhaps it could be considered in the future.
I, for one, was thrilled with the cars and the opportunity to meet with people I haven't seen in many years. It was a grand afternoon.
I am sorry I didn't get down the side streets, but time got away. I would have loved to meet those at the Batavian Booth.
There is a market for small, almost boutique-like grocery stores. The question is, would Batavia support such a market. These markets sell things like organic produce, local dairy products, have a specialty meat counter, off-brand cereals and condiments, etc.
Prices are higher and you have to bring in your own shopping bags, but targeting the discriminating shopper can be a successful marketing angle.
But grocery stores are such low margin businesses, starting a non-chain story of any kind is a major risk.
That said, a great place for one would be where Tim Horton's and Wendy's are today.
Your idea is not out of the realm of possibility. In fact, it would be exactly what is needed to anchor the downtown business district.
The Amish have done this sort of marketing for years with a great deal of success. It can be done here.
I agree with alot of the posts I have just read.
I dont know how bad off the old jubilee building structure is but I personally would love to see it used for Food type items.
Some people dont realize that many of Batavia's population enjoy being able to walk places and still shop. This is going to become more popular as gas prices top off at four bucks. There is a large market of consumers that for whatever reason, bike, walk, or push a stoller with hard earned cash in hand shopping for low cost food items. They are low income, tax paying, good Batavians, whom are most likely to stay in Batavia and continue to spend their money here through generations.