Page 26 - Bedford-FY22-23 Budget
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in the FY 2019-2020 budget due to legislative changes. Staff continues to review collections and adjust as
                 necessary based on current trends.
                 Licenses/permits — This category includes a wide variety of building-related permits,  re marshal permits,
                 alarm permits, sign permits, etc. Revenue for several classi cations of licenses and permits is projected to
                 increase slightly for next year.
                 Fines  and  Fees  —  The  two  major  drivers  in  this  revenue  category  are  Municipal  Court  Fines  and
                 Ambulance  Fees.  Municipal  Court   ne  revenue  increased  slightly  for  next  year.  Ambulance  Fees  were
                 increased based on the performance of the new billing company.


                                        —  Proposed  expenditures  in  the  General  Fund  total  $42,737,100  compared
            General   Fund   Expenditures
            to  $48,515,763  in  FY  2021-2022.  Some  increases  in  base  expenditures  are  included  to  fund  contractual
            obligations  that  have  already  been  committed,  continued  operation  of  current  programs,  and  unfunded
            mandates from the State of Texas or other entities.


            Water & Sewer Fund
            Water & Sewer Fund expenses are budgeted at $24,873,115 in FY 2022-2023 compared to $25,061,606  in FY 2021-
            2022. In July 2015, the City of Bedford quali ed for a low-cost loan program from the Texas Water Development
            Board (TWDB) in the amount of $90 million to be issued over several years. In FY 2015-2016, the City issued $30
            million as part of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) program. In FY 2017-2018, the City
            issued the next $20 million. During FY 2019-2020, staff worked with a consultant to evaluate the rates for water
            and sewer services. After receiving the report on the Water and Sewer rates, the City Council elected to begin
            incremental increases in the rates to address the annual cost increases from the Trinity River Authority and the
            capital  investment  needed  in  the  infrastructure.  Staff  worked  with  consultants  to  update  the
            recommendations  for  rates  for  FY  2022-2023.  The  Trinity  River  Authority  charge  increased  for  the  upcoming
            year. Based on these circumstances, it was recommended to increase rates for water and sewer service in this
             scal year, which will provide enough funding for planned capital investments in the system.


            Stormwater Utility Fund
            The Stormwater Utility Fund was established in 1991 in accordance with amendments to Title 13 of the Texas
            Local Government Code. It is structured under the enterprise fund concept. Revenues for this fund are derived
            from  a  monthly  fee  charged  to  each  utility  customer,  calculated  based  on  the  impervious  surface  on  the
            property. The residential stormwater utility rate was increased in FY 2021-2022 to $5.00 per month ($4.50 per
            month for residential account holders over 65 years of age) as a result of the rate study and this number is used
            in  the  base  calculation  for  non-residential  properties.  Expenses  in  the  Stormwater  Utility  Fund  are  used  for
            stormwater maintenance personnel, mowing and maintenance of drainage channels, mosquito control, street
            sweeping, environmental awareness, and debt service payments on long-term obligations for capital projects
            throughout  the  stormwater  system.  Budgeted  revenue  for  the  Stormwater  Utility  Fund  for  FY  2022-2023
            is $1,825,000  and expenses are budgeted at $2,430,665. Expenditures are relatively stable in this fund, although
            a Stormwater Drainage Study and funding for design work on planned future capital projects is included in this
            year's budget.  Fund balance is suf cient to cover these projects.


            Debt Ser vice Fund
            The Debt Service Fund (sometimes referred to as the Interest and Sinking Fund) is used to account for the
            accumulation  of  resources  for  the  repayment  of  general  long-term  debt.  The  tax  rate  for  the  repayment  of
            long-term debt in FY 2022-2023 is $0.128229, which is a decrease from the rate for FY 2021-2022 of $0.165010.
            Summary schedules and detailed information on individual bond obligations can be found in the Debt section.


            Special Revenue Funds
            Tourism  Fund — This fund was established to record revenue and expenditures associated with the collection
            of a 7% hotel/motel occupancy tax levied by the City of Bedford and authorized by the State of Texas. The tax is
            levied on the rental rate for hotel rooms in Bedford when the room is occupied by the same tenant for a period
            of not more than 30 days. Funds generated by the Hotel Occupancy Tax are used to promote tourism, arts and
            culture, and historic preservation.
            Signi cant programs funded by the Tourism Fund include special events designed to bring tourism to the City
            of Bedford. Also included in this fund are resources to support of arts and culture in Bedford.




                City of Bedford, TX | Adopted Budget FY 2023                                                Page 26
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