Page 26 - Bedford-FY23-24 Budget

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
decrease 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.

General Fund Expenditures — Expenditures in the General Fund total $46,635,592 compared to $42,737,100 in
FY 2022-2023. 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. However, a portion of the increase is related to one-time item or capital projects, such as
an ambulance remount or security camera replacements.

Water & Sewer Fund
Water & Sewer Fund expenses are budgeted at $27,553,636 in FY 2023-2024 compared to $24,873,115 in FY 2022-
2023. 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 2023-2024. The Trinity River Authority charge increased for the upcoming
year. Based on these circumstances, it is 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 2023-2024 is
$1,896,802 and expenses are budgeted at $1,689,689. Expenditures are relatively stable in this fund.

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 2023-2024 is $0.143895. 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.

— In November 1997, the citizens of Bedford
Street Improvement Economic Development Corporation
approved an additional one-half of one percent sales tax for the purpose of economic development.
Speci cally, these funds are allocated to street and road improvements within the City of Bedford, along with

City of Bedford, TX | Proposed Budget FY 2023-2024 Page 26