City of La Porte Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 1997

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Property taxes were up as a result of the addition of new property to the tax roll. Collections of the current tax levy were at 97.5%. The 6.52% increase in franchis~ fees is attributed to greater (seasonal) utility usage. The decrease in sales tax is attributed to increased collection efforts versus economic decline. In 1996, the State Comptroller's Office ended a three year effort of increased collections which resulted in extra funds being collected as d.elinquencies were cleared. Industrial payments were up 6.11 %, which is attributed to increased valuations caused by plant expansions. . License and permits showed an 11.27% increase, which was driven by increased construction. in the City. The increase of 20.76% in fines and forfeits is the result of increased court activity caused by traffic fines. The majority of the 'increase in charges for services came in the commercial solidwaste operation, which saw a large increase in its usage. The following schedule presents a summary of general fund and debt service fund expenditures for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 and the percentage of increases and decreases in relation to prior year amounts. Increase Percent of Percent (Decrease) Increase Excenditures Amount of Total from 1996 (Decrease ) Current: Fire $ 2,274,380 11.44% $ 144,384 6.78% Police 4,615,150 23.22 389,207 9.21 Administration 1,897,385 9.55 209,820 12.43 Finance 1,782,840 8.97 (245,653) (12.11) Public works 3,944,432 19.85 143,764 3.78 Planning 815,453 4.10 58,861 7.78 Parks and recreation 2,331,312 11.73 238,146 11.38 Debt Service: Principal 1,610,000 8.11 (110,000) (6.40) Interest and fiscal charges 602,278 3.03 (101.933) (14.47) Total expenditures $19,873,230 100.00% $ 726,596 (7.26) The increase in the police department is primarily caused by the addition of three new personnel and associated start up costs (vehicles and equipment). In addition, an increase in police package vehicles caused an increase in the monthly motor pool lease fee paid on all police vehicles. 6 I I I I I -I I I I I I I I I I I .