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City financial performance ‘strong’
By ARTHUR HAHN/Managing Editor
The city of Brenham’s financial performance for its fiscal 2007-08 year was “strong,” council members were told Thursday.
The council received a review of financial reports that capped off its last fiscal year, ending Sept. 30.
Carolyn Miller, director of finances for the city, said that the “financial performance for the fiscal year was strong across all funds.”
The general fund, gas, wastewater and sanitation funds all ended the fiscal year “with positive net revenues over expenditures,” according to the report.
The water fund was near break-even, but the electric fund’s “combined operations” experienced a net loss.
The electric department’s distribution component showed “positive new revenues over expenditures of $225,405 for the fiscal year.”
The electric generation component — which Miller said is basically a “pass-through” to customers for power costs from the Lower Colorado River Authority — had net expenditures exceeding net revenues by $647,998. That in effect does not represent a fund loss, and the council in September approved a change in the city’s power tariff to allow a monthly “true up” of source costs.
Each of the funds has an operating reserve, ranging from 107 days in the wastewater fund to 38 days in the gas fund.
That means, for example, that the wastewater department operate for an estimated 107 days if revenues unexpectedly halted.
The general fund showed an ending fund balance of about $2.7 million, enough to cover 88 days of operation.
Miller’s report said that a 90-day general fund operating reserve is considered optimal.
The general fund’s cash balance increased by $436,546 at the end of the 2007-08 fiscal year.
The financial report came during a council work session, when it also heard a report from the Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau on its 2008 activities.
During their formal session, council members:
Approved a resolution authorizing City Manager Terry Roberts to negotiate for acquisition of easements needed for water system improvements. The resolution also authorizes condemnation proceedings by the city if a deal cannot be struck.
Easements on three parcels of property are needed for the water system improvements in west Brenham, including construction of a new 500,000-gallon tower.
Approved the transfer of $32,554 in funds to acquire land needed to extend the runway at the municipal airport.
The city is funding 10 percent of the airport improvements, with the remainder coming from the Texas Department of Transportation.
Two city staffers were recognized for years of service, including Doris Krolczyk, accounting supervisor, 35 years; and Patrick Faithauer, customer service technician, five years.
Also during Thursday’s meeting, Brenham resident Jim Baker received an award from the U.S. Coast Guard for his actions in saving four people last July in Matagorda Bay.
Baker and family members were fishing when they came upon a boat that had suddenly sunk. Baker, despite dangers to his own boat, rescued four people (see July 22 Banner-Press).
Coast Guard Commander Lamar Johnson, who is command center chief in the Houston sector, presented a plaque to Baker for “his heroism, for doing what he did.”
“It says a lot about the character of a person when you put your own life on the line,” Johnson said.
The council received a review of financial reports that capped off its last fiscal year, ending Sept. 30.
Carolyn Miller, director of finances for the city, said that the “financial performance for the fiscal year was strong across all funds.”
The general fund, gas, wastewater and sanitation funds all ended the fiscal year “with positive net revenues over expenditures,” according to the report.
The water fund was near break-even, but the electric fund’s “combined operations” experienced a net loss.
The electric department’s distribution component showed “positive new revenues over expenditures of $225,405 for the fiscal year.”
The electric generation component — which Miller said is basically a “pass-through” to customers for power costs from the Lower Colorado River Authority — had net expenditures exceeding net revenues by $647,998. That in effect does not represent a fund loss, and the council in September approved a change in the city’s power tariff to allow a monthly “true up” of source costs.
Each of the funds has an operating reserve, ranging from 107 days in the wastewater fund to 38 days in the gas fund.
That means, for example, that the wastewater department operate for an estimated 107 days if revenues unexpectedly halted.
The general fund showed an ending fund balance of about $2.7 million, enough to cover 88 days of operation.
Miller’s report said that a 90-day general fund operating reserve is considered optimal.
The general fund’s cash balance increased by $436,546 at the end of the 2007-08 fiscal year.
The financial report came during a council work session, when it also heard a report from the Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau on its 2008 activities.
During their formal session, council members:
Easements on three parcels of property are needed for the water system improvements in west Brenham, including construction of a new 500,000-gallon tower.
The city is funding 10 percent of the airport improvements, with the remainder coming from the Texas Department of Transportation.
Two city staffers were recognized for years of service, including Doris Krolczyk, accounting supervisor, 35 years; and Patrick Faithauer, customer service technician, five years.
Also during Thursday’s meeting, Brenham resident Jim Baker received an award from the U.S. Coast Guard for his actions in saving four people last July in Matagorda Bay.
Baker and family members were fishing when they came upon a boat that had suddenly sunk. Baker, despite dangers to his own boat, rescued four people (see July 22 Banner-Press).
Coast Guard Commander Lamar Johnson, who is command center chief in the Houston sector, presented a plaque to Baker for “his heroism, for doing what he did.”
“It says a lot about the character of a person when you put your own life on the line,” Johnson said.
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