Staff presents $31.4 million revenue estimate, places vacancies and new requests in contingency

Finance staff opened the budget discussion by explaining the mayor's proposed departmental worksheets include only operating costs and the personnel costs for current active employees at existing pay rates; new requests and vacancies are placed in contingency. "So, conservatively, we are budgeting 31,400,000 for revenue," the presenter said while walking through revenue categories and transfers.

Staff detailed major revenue categories (sales and franchise taxes, mixed‑drink tax), listed transfers (hotel fund, SEDC, court security fund for a bailiff), and explained contingencies include items council may later vote to include. Council members pressed staff about a 2% sales‑tax growth assumption when recent year‑to‑date figures were down; staff said the 2% reflects a five‑year average and that large retailers are monitored for sales activity.

Council also asked whether a $730,000 line for a five‑year fire contract with Meadows was final; staff said that line was an "estimate and a placeholder" pending Meadows' agreement. The presentation produced detailed follow‑up about overtime, vacancy budgeting and specific contingency line items to be revisited before the mayor must submit a balanced budget on August 15.