City Snapshot – February 2024

THE RESULTS OF THE CITY’S annual budget audit were presented, (see city website jacksonvilleor.us for a full-length copy) revealing a healthy financial status. As summed up at the meeting, the city received the highest ranking available for fiscal management.

The report also stated, FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

The assets of the City of Jacksonville exceeded its liabilities at the close of the most recent fiscal year by $27,348,033 (net position). Of this amount, $7,948,403 (unrestricted net position) may be used to meet the government’s ongoing obligations to citizens and creditors.

The government’s total net position increased by $2,232,410. This increase represents careful departmental management, which ensures that ongoing revenues are matched by controlled expenses.

As of the close of the current fiscal year, the City of Jacksonville’s governmental funds reported combined ending fund balances of $8,975,457 an increase of $1,056,885 in comparison with the prior year. Of the $8,975,457 fund balance, $1,389,311 is unassigned.

At the end of the current fiscal year, the fund balance for the general fund was $1,389,311 or 168 percent of the total fiscal 2023 general fund expenditures.

The City of Jacksonville’s total long-term debt decreased by $595,190 (approximately 19 percent) during the current fiscal year.

At the 1/2/24 meeting, Councilor Mike McClain was elected Council President and will therefore fill-in when the Mayor is absent. The city extended its contract with Rogue Disposal after hearing a brief, annual update from the company. City Planner, Ian Foster, briefed Council during a Public Hearing on fee increases for a variety of city-services including land partitions, surveys, annexations, building demolition, subdivisions, minor and major remodeling projects, and others. In almost all cases, Jacksonville’s fee structure is less than surrounding cities.

At the 1/16/24 Study Session, Councilors discussed goals and ideas they’d like to address in 2024 including, staff succession planning, rebuilding the police department, budgeting for increasing staff salaries, the Britt Festival conditional use permit, continued fuel reduction efforts, code updates, parking/traffic issues raised by the Citizens for a Safer Jacksonville, pedestrian safety projects, impact of added wine tasting venues on the city’s National Landmark Status, construction of the Museum at Old City Hall, 3rd Street Plaza feasibility, and…construction of pickleball courts near the library!