City Testimonials: "I hope that you have received 500 calls saying THANK YOU for the new playground at Bonforte Park! It is a terrific neighborhood park and we so appreciate the improvements. I walk by every day and see so many children and parents enjoying themselves." -Citizen Comment "The crew from Engine 15A were professional, knowledgeable, courteous, and extremely helpful, not only did this group of professionals represent the Fire Department in a positive light, they also speak to a city government that is responsive and courteous to the public."- Citizen Comment "We've found with projects we're doing, the City seems to be as proactive as they possibly can be." -Real Estate CEO "Grateful for the progress made by CSPD to curb shoplifting." -Business Loss Prevention Manager "Not only was my concern addressed in a professional and timely manner, but Finance Planning & Analysis Manager Leslie Hickey took the time to let me know that changes were on the way. This is the direct opposite of some folks' perception of local government." -Citizen Comment "Thank you very much for fixing the potholes on the round about for Squirrel Tail and Brainard as well as the divot by the water outlet on Squirrel Tail towards Musgrave. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" -Citizen Comment "Accounts Payable Supervisor Patti McFarland was true to her word, she called me back within days to give a status report. Then she called again to update me. Then, she called today to let me know she had been able to contact the unreachable tow company, received an invoice, and would be reimbursing the portion the business manager agreed to pay! I know that it was a sustained effort because I tried for several months and got nowhere. I can't express my overwhelming gratitude to Patti and your office for their work in this matter. We run a service-based business and try to learn from other organizations whenever we can. I will bring up this instance at our weekly meeting as an example of good service to be commended and followed.Thanks to you and Patti for the surprisingly positive experience I had with your office." -Local Small Business Owner "Thanks to Traffic Technician Pete Doyle, his community attitude to work with the residents is commendable. Thank you once again." -Citizen Comment "Streets Operations Manager Bard Lower has provided me superb customer service, above and beyond what could reasonably be expected. I know that this has been a priority for your administration, and I felt it important to let you know that it is working. Mr. Lower and his associates deserve kudos for their proactive, thorough handling of this five-year-old snow plowing issue and I am grateful to you as well for making the City more responsive to citizen requests." -Citizen Comment "As a new resident of Colorado Springs, it’s apparent that the City really does excel in taking care of its residents and treats its citizens more like neighbors and friends than just customers on a long “to-do” list. Thank you for all your exceptional service." -Citizen Comment

Mission Critical Appropriations Presented at Mayor’s Counsel Meeting

April 18, 2012 By

CONTACT:

Cindy Aubrey

Chief Communications Officer

(719) 385-5254

 

 

NEWS RELEASE                                                                             

April 18, 2012                                                                                     

Budget update and “mission critical” appropriations requests presented at Mayor’s Counsel Meeting

The April Mayor’s Counsel meeting was held today at Fire Station 18.  Members of City Council were presented with “mission critical” appropriations requests by Chief of Staff Laura Neumann, Fire Chief Rich Brown and Police Chief Pete Carey. The Budget Department also presented preliminary 2011 End of Year Financial Updates along with first quarter performance.

Based upon current pre-audited figures, the 2011 General Fund Balance grew by $6.8M due to approximately $1.1 million in revenue exceeding budget and $5.7 million due to expenditure savings.  Expenditure savings are largely due to salary and benefit savings from vacant positions.  In addition, required reserves declined by $1.9 million, in part because the $2.4 million debt service reserve is no longer required with the refunding of three Certificate of Participation (COP) issues.  In sum, the 2011 General Fund end-of-year available fund balance grew by $8.7 million to 17.34% of the 2012 General Fund expenditure budget. 

With only a few months of data, the preliminary 2012 financial update is based upon the current results of the sales and use tax forecast models compared to budget.  Because of the lag in sales tax collections, the information we have to date is based upon the April Sales and Use Tax Report which is February activity collected in March, reported in April. 

To date, activity has been stronger than the assumption upon which the 2012 budget was based.  At this time the models predict sales and use tax revenue will likely exceed the budgeted amount by approximately $4.9 million to $6.8 million, depending upon the probability assigned.  We caution however, that we only have two months of 2012 activity and the model has been moving sharply up and down over the past few months –sharply up after the most recent unusually positive report. 

In addition, there are significant risks to this forecast which have yet to be captured by the models, including increasing fuel prices and the impact high prices might have on consumer spending and an economic recovery that continues to flag with recent disappointing employment figures.

You will find the Mayor’s Span of Control Budget Highlights located here. 

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Filed Under: Budget, Governance Tagged With: , ,

Colorado Springs 2012 Budget E-townhall

October 14, 2011 By

Public input invited for 2012 budget at e-town hall

The annual public e-town hall meeting to receive input on the City of Colorado Springs and Memorial Health System 2012 Budgets will take place on October 27 from 7 - 9 p.m. Citizens are invited to participate any one of the following ways: 

Attend in person at City Council Chambers, City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Avenue.
Those wishing to speak at the meeting may sign up in person beginning at 6 p.m.;

Watch the meeting live on SpringsTV, cable channel 18, or www.SpringsGov.com;

Phone in comments to 719-385-5961; or

Email ideas and comments to 2012springsbudget@springsgov.com.

Members of City Council will take comments, ideas and other input from citizens.  Input submitted electronically will be read aloud as time allows.             

For more information, contact the Budget Office at 719-385-5970 or visit www.SpringsGov.com/budget.

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Filed Under: Mayor Bach News, Press Releases Tagged With: , ,