‘Glaring Deficit’ in Sanitation Revenue Collection

As city leaders begin the process of reviewing the proposed 2013 fiscal year budget, they must also deal with what City Administrator Jim Osborn described as a “glaring deficit” in sanitation fee collection for 2012.

The City of Dacula expected to collect $200,000. Instead, the total is now projected to be closer to $160,000. Compounding matters is the fact the city will spend over $300,000 to collect garbage for city residents.

“We’re in a big hole there,” Osborn said at the Oct. 25 Dacula City Council work session.

City revenue for 2012 has also fallen short for building and development permits. So far, the city has collected roughly half of the $30,000 projected for 2012. The city did, however, have additional revenue in 2012 from the Service Delivery Strategy settlement.

“I think we’re doing very well on expenses and revenue with the exception of building and development and sanitation,” Osborn said.

For 2013, the City of Dacula has a proposed budget of $2.2 million -- only $21,000 higher than the original 2012 budget. The proposed budget includes a 3 percent raise for city employees and two new computers for city administrative staff.

The public hearing for the 2013 budget is set for Thursday, Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at Dacula City Hall, 442 Harbins Road in Dacula. Council is expected to vote on the budget on Thursday, Dec. 6.

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