By JIM BUTLER
When drafting the current budget last Spring, Alexandria officials didn’t count any chickens before they hatched.
Now it’s time to put the hatch — eight million of them — to work.
The City Council will consider adopting the mid-year revision to the budget at its meeting this evening.
Last April, the administration told the council its proposal for the May 1, 2024-April 30, 2025 fiscal year was taking a circumspect approach to revenue and expense forecasts.
The $74 million General Fund revenue projection while not standstill was cautious. This evening the administration proposes adding $8.27 million to the forecast as the conservative optimism of eight months ago proves well-founded.
Property and city sales taxes are expected to be $3.8 million more than currently budgeted, taking their total to $41.3 million. The city’s piece of the parish sales tax is forecast at $11.5 million, $2.5 million more than initially planned for.
Interest revenue adds $900,000 and use of prior years’ revenue grows by $4.45 million to $16.6 million.
Transfers from the Utility Fund are set at $5.6 million, $4.35 million less than initially planned.
The amendment from Finance Director David Johnson and Budget Officer Paul Carpenter similarly adjusts spending estimates.
(An aside: Carpenter’s work as appointed receiver for Crimestoppers of CENLA is done after hours and apart from his city work.
He was appointed in mid-December by District Judge Mary Doggett to essentially manage the non-profit until she orders otherwise.
That came as result of a suit filed by Kenneth Paul and Daniel Bryant.)
Back to the budget — the largest allocation from the $8.2 million being added to the General Fund is for police vehicles — $2.1 million compared to none in the initial plan.
The department also is appropriated $828,000 more for overtime, added to $1 million previously earmarked, and $480,000 for vehicle repairs and maintenance.
The Fire Department gets another $1.3 million, about half of that for overtime expense.
The amendment brings the Police total budget to $23.6 million and Fire to $14.2. That public safety cost is about 46% of the General Fund spending plan.
Utility Fund revenue and spending is revised downward by $12.1 million, to $104.6 million on each side of the ledger.
The adjustment reflects a considerable difference in fuel cost charges. The revenue total includes use of $15.5 in prior earnings.
Utility Administration reflects an additional $7 million transfer for Capital Projects and $2.7 million transfer for the transit system.