Caleras extra funds over budget allow for purchases
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Recent budget adjustments for the city of Calera are evidence that things are good, officials say.
The Calera City Council approved adjustments to its budget noting increases in revenue from property taxes, sales taxes, building permits and business licenses.
&8220;We set a budget based on what we did last year,&8221; Mayor George Roy said. &8220;Obviously, it&8217;s nice to have some cushion.&8221;
Roy reported to-date increases in projected property tax revenues. The budget projected $770,000. Actual revenue in property taxes to date is $845,000.
The budget projected some $5.52 million in sales tax revenues. Actual sales tax revenues have come in at $100,000 more, for a total of $5.62 million.
Building construction permits were projected to bring in $422,000 in revenue. Actual figures to-date indicate an additional $400,000 for a total of $822,000 in revenue.
Business licenses were projected at $884,000. Actual revenues from business licenses was $984,000.
These increases and others in the budget have allowed the city to make capital purchases and finish a number of projects, Mayor Roy said.
&8220;It&8217;s enabled us to do some things we&8217;ve had to put aside,&8221; he said.
Some of those projects include buying new police cars and two new fire trucks.
In addition, he said, work is being completed on the city&8217;s third fire station on Highway 25.
Roy said the city now has between 6,000 and 8,000 residents. By the next census, however, the population is expected to be close to 20,000.
&8220;The growth is good,&8221; he said. &8220;We&8217;re getting a lot of residents; but we&8217;re getting a lot of new businesses, too.
&8220;We&8217;re ready, though,&8221; he said.