I was just glancing through Decatur’s budget woes for tonight’s city council meeting and it looks like nearly every revenue stream for the city will miss the mark. State sales tax may be down $840,000; food and beverage taxes down; hotel & motel tax (which surprised me since the Farm Progress Show was this year) is also down; local sales tax is down; local use tax is down; utility tax (the cool Summer is to blame but I’m not complaining) is off from the projected budget; personal property replacement tax projected (not even sure what that is) to miss the budget by $400,000; sales income tax projected to miss the budget by $300,000. Other revenue streams down: liquor licenses ($6,200) and interest incomes. Bright spots are: court fines, building permits, telephone communications tax and cable TV tax. For a full list on the projected revenue streams go to: http://decaturil.gov/council/councilagenda/Item%20IV.pdf
First of all, WHOA we’re taxed for anything and everything! Secondly, the national, state and local economies are stinking it up and making hard times for everyone – like that’s news to anyone.
Community goals will also be discussed: http://decaturil.gov/council/councilagenda/Item%20IV.pdf (beginning on page 35). There are many interesting ideas and priorities listed; too many to list. I recommend reading through it. I’ll have more comments later.
