Page 33 - FY 2023-24 ADOPTED BUDGET
P. 33

IMPACT OF THE 2023-24 BUDGET ON BENBROOK’S FUTURE


        OPERATING FUNDS

        The  Operating  Funds began the 2023-24  year  with a fund balance  of $19,566,771.   The  Operating  Funds are
        projected to end the new fiscal year with a fund balance of $19,572,541 based on revenues in the amount of
        $25,437,557; expenditures in the amount of $25,770,272; the transfer of $338,485 from the Stormwater Utility
        Fund; an estimated transfer of $300,000 from the Sanitation Fund; $250,000 to the Asset Replacement Fund; and

        $50,000 to the IT/Facilities Fund.

        Financial experts and bond rating agencies recommend that the fund balance or reserves be maintained at a
        minimum level equivalent to ten percent of the City's annual operating budget; three months of operating expenses
        is the preferred level.  Reserves are projected to be 76.0 percent of total operating expenditures during 2023-24.
        This level of reserves is more than sufficient to meet established criteria.  The City's informal policy of maintaining
        reserves at $8,000,000 and at a minimum of three months of operating expenses is also more than satisfied.
        Benbrook is more than prepared to face and to conquer economic and financial challenges in the current year and

        in future years.

        GENERAL FUND

        The  City  Staff  is  confident  that  the  City's  current  financial  position  allows  Benbrook  to  grow,  to  improve
        infrastructure, to enhance community facilities, and to upgrade existing facilities and services.  However, due to the
        COVID-19 virus pandemic, the Texas Senate Bill 2 3.5% property tax cap, high inflation, possibility of a recession,
        and the construction of a new municipal complex, Council and Staff decided to defer General Fund financing of any
        major new programs and service enhancements. The 2023-24 General Fund Budget is primarily a continuation of
        current services and programs with a few critically needed enhancements.

        DEBT SERVICE FUND


        Debt service principal and interest payments reflected in the 2023-24 Debt Service Fund Budget include general
        obligation  payments  that  are  financed  through  current  property  tax  collections,  along  with  payments  for
        Stormwater Utility debt.  The Stormwater Utility debt payments are paid for by the Stormwater Utility Fund.


        City Staff works closely with the City's financial advisor to ensure that the additional debt service requirements are
        financed  without  significantly  altering  the  City's  annual  debt  service  requirements  or  without  increasing  the
        property tax rate. In fiscal year 2020-21 $22.0 million is General Obligation bonds were issued for the construction
        of a new municipal complex that will be an anchor to a new downtown. The current City Hall, Police Station, and
        Senior Center are outdated and inadequate. All three buildings will be combined into one large municipal complex.
        There should be little effect on the City’s tax rate because the new debt replaces existing debt that is maturing. In
        addition, the TIF ended in November 2022, which the City pays approximately $1.0 million plus to each year. The

        $1.0 million the City used to pay to the TIF is now used to service the new debt.

                                                             31
   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35   36   37   38