By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Revenues in Whitewater are up, and expenses (for the most part) are down.
This was the overarching theme trumpeted by Finance Director Doug Saubert as he discussed Whitewater’s municipal budget at the mid-year point at a Common Council meeting Aug. 2. Much of his analysis focused on comparable data at the halfway point of 2015.
“The general (operating) budget has shown considerable improvement in revenues and reduction in expenditures overall,” Saubert said. “Utility funds remain stable when compared to the second quarter of 2015.”
While city officials expected higher income from such primary sources as taxes — this year’s levy was higher than last year’s — Saubert said the city is receiving more income from other sources as well, including intergovernmental revenues, collection of fines and forfeitures and fees related to licenses and permits.
Speaking to the latter, Saubert said an additional $6,127 in income linked to building and zoning permits were issued, compared to the end of June 2015. New construction is attributed to the income growth.
On the expense side of the ledger, Saubert reported overall spending declined by $7,227 at the halfway point of the year. Spending within the neighborhood services, communications and dispatch, shop and fleet operations and street maintenance budgets are less than a year ago.
However, spending for services within the park maintenance, fire, police and facilities maintenance departments are higher in year-over-year comparisons.
In other business Aug. 2, the council:
- Approved Discover Whitewater’s request to close several streets for its upcoming half-marathon relay race from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. The impacted roadways include Elizabeth Street and Walworth Avenue.
- Issued a $35,241 contract to Madison-based Per Mar Security Services for the installation of a keyless entry system at the city’s main municipal building. The expense was included in this year’s capital budget.
