Maumee's revenue rises, expenses decline

Income tax collection projected at highest in years

5/25/2011

Although Maumee anticipates a year-end shortfall in its general fund, the city's financial numbers are trending upward, compared with recent leaner years.

Income tax revenue is up $800,000 from April, 2010, and year to date is up just over $1 million, or 19 percent, Linda Wilker, acting finance director, told city council last week.

April collections this year were about $2.6 million.

Ms. Wilker cautioned that the city has yet to issue some large tax refunds.

Overall, the forecast is for the city to bring in $15.8 million in income tax revenue for the year, the highest amount in recent years. The projection is a 7 percent increase from 2010.

The city's projected shortfall of $1.8 million has been whittled to $900,000, she said.

General fund expenditures have declined $761,270 from 2010, with operating expenses down $352,846, capital expenses down $408,424, and personnel expenses down $586,121.

Regular wages decreased $108,316 from 2010. Overtime wages increased $7,879 from 2010, and benefit expenses decreased $485,684 from 2010.

Of the decrease, $232,354 is attributed to the elimination of lump-sum payments, $91,260 to a health insurance premium decrease, and $34,453 to a decrease in longevity payments.

Total general fund revenue is up $116,633 from 2010. Real estate taxes have increased $24,180, and interest earnings are up $30,308 from last year.

Not all columns reflect the upward trend.

Hotel/motel tax is down $11,624 from 2010, and court-fine receipts have declined $10,366 from last year.

In action during its meeting last week, council agreed to renew the public defender agreement covering Maumee Municipal Court.

The amount being charged to the city has been increased for the first time in many years, going to $29,847 from $27,050, a 10 per cent increase. As part of the approval, sub-agreements with the village of Whitehouse and the city of Waterville were approved.

In the future, the city of Maumee will execute a contract with Lucas County and allow Waterville and Whitehouse to do the same, Ms. Wilker said.

Also during the meeting last week, council approved a request from the Maumee Chamber of Commerce and the Maumee Uptown Business Association to hold their Rock the Block summer concert on June 4 in the West Mews parking area.

The organizations requested minimal assistance from the city, such as dropping off tables and fencing.

The event is scheduled from 5 p.m. to midnight, and West Mews and the 100 block of West Dudley Street will be closed beginning at 8 a.m.

Council waived the noise ordinance with the conditions that consumption and distribution of alcohol be confined to the fenced-in areas of the West Mews and that the concert end by 11 p.m.

During council's committee-of-the-whole meeting, former Maumee resident Andy Morin, who is mayor of Folsom, Calif., talked briefly about his political life.

He has been re-elected to his third term as mayor and noted that some of the items on council's agenda "are as riveting as some of ours," bringing a knowing nod from Maumee elected officials.

A 1979 graduate of Maumee High School, Mr. Morin said Folsom has a population of 65,000 plus 5,000 at Folsom State Prison, where Johnny Cash performed in 1968.

Anywhere in the world, the Folsom prison's notoriety is known, Mr. Morin noted.