2013 Annual Budget - City of Bremerton

Budget Summary
Total 2013 projected tax revenue (property
taxes, sales taxes, business and occupation taxes
and private utility taxes) in the General Fund are
$21.897 million. This is approximately $72k
less than 2012. Individually, EMS taxes anticipates
a decrease of $63k attributable to lower
anticipated assessed values. Regular property
tax receipts (anticipated at a 95% collection
rate) are estimated with a modest increase for
the upcoming year. Sales tax, formerly our
number one revenue source for the General
Fund, continues to remain flat with anticipated
receipts for 2013 estimated at $6.8 million, including
criminal justice. B & O revenue is
budgeted at $2.7 million for 2013 and is essentially
unchanged from 2012 receipts due to a
$20k increase in B & O tax exemption. Though
the City anticipates a slight decrease in utility
taxes for electricity, natural gas and cable in the
upcoming year, landline telephones are anticipated
to increase modestly over 2012 and solid
waste receipts are expected to remain unchanged.
Overall, utility taxes are budgeted at
$4.52 million, or 1.8% below the prior year and
are based on historical averages.
Overall, the City’s revenue projections throughout
all funds and departments have remained
relatively conservative. Though some revenue
categories are showing consistent (but modest)
increases, others remain volatile to economic
uncertainty and therefore a more modest approach
is warranted for the upcoming year.
In response to the current revenue forecast, the
City has continued budgeted spending reductions,
deferred equipment payments into the
City’s ER&R Fund and efforts to eliminate vacant
positions wherever possible.
The City of Bremerton provides services and
programs through the efforts of its qualified and
capable staff. Though the 2013 budget includes
reductions in staff, personnel costs remain the
highest expense in the General Fund at 76.72%
of total expenditures. Efforts will continue to
analyze appropriate staffing levels not only in
the General Fund, but throughout the City.
In addition to overall supplies and services cuts,
other specific actions taken in order to balance
the 2013 General Fund budget include:
Reduction of authorized personnel by 2.1
FTE’s. Specific positions are identified under
the personnel section and are all due to
attrition.
Cost of living increases (COLA’s) are not
included in personnel costs City-wide.
Various fees and charges for services continue
to be reviewed and revised as appropriate
to ensure City costs are properly recovered.
Transfers-in from Police Special Operations
fund continues.
Similar to 2012, all fuel tax revenues are being
receipted directly to the Street Fund
which is offset by a reduced transfer from
the General Fund.
Due to recent debt service refinancing, the
City was able to reduce its debt service payments
for the Norm Dicks Government Center
by over $135k.
The use of reserves to bridge the revenue
gap.
Budget Summary
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