Homewood mid-year review

Dear friends and neighbors,

Recently, my office had the opportunity to present to the finance committee of the city council our mid-year review. Each year I enjoy sharing the victories and challenges half way through the year to give us a clear understanding of what is needed and expected for the remaining year. For those of you who are reading this article and are not “number-crunchers,” I know this is not the most exciting read, but I think it’s important to keep our residents informed of our finances. Winston Churchill said, “It is a terrible idea that making profits is a vice; I consider that the real vice is making losses.” 

After bonuses to our employees and transferring $500,000 to our capital projects account to fund several long-term infrastructure projects, we finished the year with a surplus in the general fund in excess of $400,000 for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2014. For the first six months of the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the city is still in line to finish with another surplus as long as we continue to closely monitor our expenditures. Sales tax collections are up over 4 percent during the first six months compared to this same time last year. Property tax collections have exceeded our budget expectations thus far and are up 3 percent.

Expenditures are down over 1 percent due to my office and department heads daily monitoring our expenses. Our employees are working smarter and with more efficiency than ever before. Thank you to those of you who diligently support our Homewood businesses and to all who are doing things each day to enhance the value of your property. These investments, great and small, all contribute directly to the value of our city.

With summer in full swing, I am still amazed at the volume of calls we receive from other municipalities asking if their residents can join our pool. The pool has been a wonderful addition to the amenities Homewood has to offer our residents only. The numbers for the pool continue to increase, and I hear from you every day about how much your children (and grandchildren) are enjoying themselves. 

We continue to be blessed by those of you who overwhelmingly support our projects like the pool, sidewalks and revitalization efforts throughout our city. I’m so grateful we have wonderful residents who are excited about the direction of Homewood and her future, knowing Homewood residents we will go just about anywhere, provided it is forward. 

Sincerely,

Scott McBrayer

Mayor

City of Homewood