spent.” I believe our residents continue to feel that they receive good value for their tax dollars.

GENERAL CITY SERVICES

The 2024 General City Services Funds (all city expenses except for Refuse, Water, Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater) show budgeted expenses at $18,126,259. These budgeted expenses are $1,340,448 more than the budgeted revenues. We will use cash reserves to address the difference. The primary reason for expenses exceeding revenues is that we allowed a 3.75 mill property tax issue (with effective mills of 3.03) to expire at the end of 2023. That property tax issue generated about $1.15 million in revenue. The 3.75 mill issue had been slated for renewal on the November 7, 2023 ballot, but due to a clerical error, was not on the ballot. The issue will be placed on the March 19, 2024 ballot at 2.41 mills. At the reduced millage, the issue will generate the same amount of revenue as the expired 3.75 mill issue. In other words, it will cost the Oakwood property owner the same amount as the now expired levy. Even with the 2024 shortfall, we remain in a strong financial position and will continue to provide comprehensive city services. Our annual budget and actual expenses over the past 10 years are shown in the bar chart on page 12.

The breakdown of 2024 budgeted spending for General City Services is as follows:

  • ➤ Public Safety: 38%
  • ➤ Public Works: 14%
  • ➤ Leisure Services: 12%
  • ➤ Admin/Finance/Legal: 12%
  • ➤ Capital: 18%
  • ➤ Miscellaneous: 4%
  • ➤ Court: 2%

In 2024, our Water, Sanitary Sewer, Stormwater and Refuse services are 100% financed through user fees. All other services are in the category of General City Services and are accounted for through the General Fund and seven other funds referred to as Primary Operating Funds:

  • ➤
    General Fund (administration, planning & zoning, legal, municipal court, regional programs & operations, government buildings & grounds, police, fire, EMS, engineering, beautification, gardens)
  • ➤
    Street Maintenance and Repair Fund (roadway repairs, traffic signals)
  • ➤
    Leisure Activity Fund (OCC, pool, parks, athletic facilities, recreation and education programs)
  • ➤
    Health Fund (property inspections & maintenance, senior programs, health department)
  • ➤
    General Equipment Replacement Fund (police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, dump trucks, utility vehicles, etc.)
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