City treasurer presents first quarterly budget review; staff say revenues 'right on track'

City Treasurer Darla Hawkins delivered the city’s first quarterly budget review, a new practice intended to improve midyear fiscal monitoring.

Hawkins explained the slide color-coding (budget line vs. first and second quarter highlights), reviewed major revenue and expenditure categories across governmental and enterprise funds, and noted that some receipts (direct distribution and quarterly payments from utilities) are timing-sensitive and may appear later in the year. She said the current year is "right on track" compared with recent years and that the first quarter/second quarter comparison will help identify trends going forward.

Council members asked follow-up questions about specific revenue streams, including the public benefit fund and timing of utility payments; Hawkins and other staff explained modified accrual accounting and expected seasonal receipts. Hawkins said fleet purchases and certain equipment orders have already been placed under the recently approved budget revision and that figures will be reflected in third-quarter reporting.