Commission reviews new financial dashboard and delays assistant city manager hire until operational audit

City finance staff presented a new financial dashboard and department-level summary at the Feb. 26 Palatka City Commission meeting that shows the city is 33% through the fiscal year and highlights both stable funds and outliers.

Finance staff (speaker S12) said green indicators denote funds within expected ranges and that the golf-course fund is showing concerning losses; Jenkins Gym renovation costs ($81,009.95) and quarterly liability-insurance payments pushed some categories above the 33% benchmark. Staff noted the airport fund and sanitation reserves need attention and agreed to follow up with commissioners who requested deeper line-item breakdowns.

Separately, city manager (speaker S12, "Miss Karen") presented an internal analysis comparing an assistant city manager position with the general-services-director role. The manager said the assistant city manager salary would cost roughly 2226% more than the director role but would provide a succession plan. Commissioners debated whether to proceed immediately or wait for an operational audit that will review staffing and operations.

Commissioner discussion emphasized caution about adding recurring payroll costs before the audit and the possibility of duplicating duties. A motion to table hiring until after the operational audit passed; staff said the audit contract is being finalized and a completed report is expected by May 31.

What it means: The finance dashboard gives commissioners an executive-level view of budget health; the decision to await an operational-audit report before hiring preserves flexibility and brings an independent assessment to staffing decisions.