City of La Porte Annual Budget 1991-1992

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TarEeted OoeratinE Balances The City strives to maintain a minimum working capital balance of 60 to 90 days of operating expenses in its Operating Funds. All funds currently meet or exceed this bench mark. In fiscal year 1989-90, it was determined that the excess fund balance in the Debt Service Fund would be used over a five year period to reduce its balance to the targeted range. The five year period was selected to minimize the impact on our tax rate. ReoortinE Levels The following represents the reporting structure used in this document. Fund Department Division Line Item Detail LonE RanEe StrateEic Plans The City has a Long Range Strategic Plan (Five Years) for its utility operation and the Debt Service Fund. These plans have helped the City identify, and prepare to meet, its needs over the next five years. One result of the Utility plan was to increase utility rates in Fiscal Year 1988-89 to prepare for increased expenses in Fiscal Year 1989-90 caused by a state mandate to convert to the use of surface water. The City expects to prepare a Long Range Strategic Plan for the General Fund in fiscal year 1991-92. DESCRIPTION OF CITY AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUND Location The City of La Porte is located in the southeast quadrant of Harris County, and covers an area of nineteen square miles. The City is bounded on the north by the Houston Ship Channel, on the east by Galveston Bay, and is flanked on its north and south sides by the nation's largest concentration of petrochemical plants. It is located approximately 25 miles from downtown Houston. State Highway 225 provides access to the City on its north side and connects on the west with Interstate 610. State Highway 146, which extends into northeast Texas, allows access from the south through the City. Currently under construction is a 94 million dollar, eight lane suspension bridge to span the Houston Ship Channel. When completed in 1993, it will replace the current two lane tunnel and will provide better access to the La Porte Bayshore area. La Porte Bavshore Area Profile Located some 20 miles southeast of Houston on Galveston Bay in Harris County are the three communities that makes up the La Porte Bayshore Area: La Porte, Morgan's Point and Shoreacres. The area has a combined population of approximately 40,000, of which 27,910 are located in the City of La Porte. 1-10 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I