'The city enjoys adequate reserves'

Milton Planning Director Randy Jorgenson

MILTON — Milton citizens have been keeping a close eye on the city budget and have several concerns, according to the city council. City Manager Randy Jorgenson wants to provide them with accurate information and ease concerns.

Here are 5 questions and answers by Jorgenson on the budget:

How is the City’s financial year looking at this time as compared to the same time last year?

We are currently at 92 percent of completion of our year. Revenues exceed expenditures this year by more than $1 million as compared to last year at this very same time.

What is the projected budget for next year?

(It is) $24,218,880 for all funds and $9,558,407 for general fund.

Is the City looking better or worse financially?

That’s subjective. However, the city enjoys adequate reserves which are used as operating capital during the course of a fiscal year. Those amounts fluctuate annually. We will be increasing the reserve fund balances based on current projections.  

If Milton citizens have questions or concerns, what is the best way they can get the answers?

Contact Diane Ebentheuer, budget coordinator, 850-983-5438, debentheuer@miltonfl.org. Public records Requests should be directed to Dewitt Nobles, city clerk, 850-983-5402. dnobles@miltonfl.org. or online at miltonfl.org. (Government/Departments/Budget scroll to bottom “click here to review Fiscal Year Budget Information”)

There has been a lot of misinterpretation about the budget at the Council Meetings. How do you plan to help alleviate that now that you will be the permanent City Manager?

(I plan to) put out factually based information early and often.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'The city enjoys adequate reserves'