Carson tightened belt to make up for sales tax slump

Slumping real estate and auto sales were the main drivers behind the drop in sales tax revenues for Carson City during the fiscal year that ended June 30, auditors reported to city officials Thursday.

As a result, general fund revenues for the city were $3.3 million less than the final budget, but planned expenditures were reduced during the year in response.

The financial report presented Thursday was prepared by Finance Director Nick Providenti after the annual audit performed by Kafoury, Armstrong & Co.

The bad news came as no surprise to the board of supervisors, which has been tightening the city's belt for several years and scrambling to retain its auto dealers and diversify its

economy.

At the end of the fiscal year, the total general fund balance exceeded the final budget by about $5.6 million, according to the report. Of that, $2.4 million was unspent incentives for business retention and recruitment, which will be carried over to the current fiscal year. Another $2.1 million was built into the 2009/10 budget, and the remaining $1.1 million is the result of the expenditure reductions, according to the report.

One bright spot in the report was the city's landfill, where revenues exceeded expenditures. These will be used to help offset the overall general fund expenses.

To see the complete financial report, go to www.carson-city.nv.us/ and click on Board of Supervisors, Agenda with Supporting Materials, Item 19.

In other business Thursday, supervisors:

• Passed an ordinance making changes pertaining to the issuance and regulation of liquor licenses.

• Passed an ordinance making changes to the building and inspection codes.

• Introduced an ordinance change relating to the temporary display of banners and other signs, a move designed to help businesses.

• Sent back for revision an amendment to the Carson River Master Plan.

• Appointed Janice Brod to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission and reappointed members Donna Curtis and Sean Lehman.

• Heard a monthly presentation on the Carson City Operations Scorecard.