City Info Weekly - 2009/06/03 (Archive)

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City continues to narrow the budget gap

The City’s has completed its first quarter update on the financial position of the General Fund. Overall, General Fund revenues are $2 million (6.5%) less than budgeted. The ongoing recession continues to negatively impact economically sensitive revenues such as sales and business & occupation taxes. Based on actual sales tax collections through May, projected 2009 sales tax revenues are $1.26 million less than budgeted, and an 11.5% decrease from 2008 sales tax revenues. As of March 31, 2009 projected General Fund expenditures total $29.4 million, about $1.6 million (5.3%) less than budgeted. These 2009 projected expenditure savings are the result of leaving open vacant positions, salary freezes, unpaid furlough days, a reduction in employer paid pension contributions, fuel savings, and suspending motor vehicle depreciation.  While the City is making some forward progress, it will still need to draw down $781,700 from beginning fund balance to provide for general governmental services.  In an effort to further narrow the budgetary gap between revenues and expenditures, the City will continue with its implementation of cost-cutting measures referenced above.

More information: View the City’s 2009/2010 budget and first quarter budget report. 

Get active this summer!

Not traveling as much this summer? Want to save money? Looking to get active or learn something new? Longview Recreation is offering over 250 programs for youth, teens, adults, seniors, and families this summer.  Try something new this summer to get active, enhance your knowledge, learn a new skill, or just have fun.  Many day camps for youth and teens are available for a reasonable cost and scholarships are available.

More information: To get more information or to register, go to www.mylongview.com/reconline or call 442-5400.

Those pesky aphids don’t stand a chance!

The City’s parks crew will be helping to curb the aphid population this spring on about 1,000 of the City’s birch trees and some other trees that are impacted by aphids.  Aphids will hatch up to seven times per year, with the last hatch occurring in the fall.  They survive through the winter and begin hatching again the following spring.   Staff will be applying a half-strength granular chemical around the trees soon, with another half-strength application in July.  This is double the amount that was applied last year. The parks staff will also be monitory street tree test plots where varying dosages, application schedules, and treatment areas will be taking place.  Aphid traps located in some trees will help determine the effectiveness of these test programs. The testing will continue into the fall months.

More information: Learn more about City trees or call the Parks Division at 442-5421.