About Expenditures

Data Source: FY2015 City Budget as filed with the State of Iowa Department of Management.

To emphasize, it is not that we oppose taxes. Taxes are essential to community well being. But we need to be careful where the money is spent. Two comments related to the above numbers:

1. Why the skyrocketing Government Activities expenses?
2. Have payroll & benefit increases exceeded what is happening in private sector?

Is administrative productivity increasing? Is there overlap in payroll when outside vendors are being paid to do administrative work? Is it possible to create a more efficient model given the advances in technology since the formation of city government process? These questions would be asked by any board of directors in private business. While we elect council members and a mayor, they are part time and have very limited time and resources. As taxpayers we must have the means to address budget priorities and ask tough questions when necessary. That is the sole purpose of MyTown.Center.

Mount Vernon, Iowa
	Actual FY 2005	Budget FY 2015
Expenditures & Other Financing Uses
Public Safety	518,300	946,601	Up 83% since 2005
Public Works	363,862	502,873
Health and Social Services	0	0	Click to see comment
Culture and Recreation	310,357	489,283
Community and Economic Development	21,715	138,900
General Government	265,671	566,069	Up 113% since 2005
Debt Service	518,900	1,129,281	Up 118% since 2005
Capital Projects	316,288	2,475,797
Total Government Activities Expenditures	2,315,093	6,248,804	Up 170% since 2005
Business Type / Enterprises	1,092,992	1,635,716
Total ALL Expenditures	3,408,085	7,884,520	Up 131% since 2005
Transfers Out - WHAT IS THIS?	1,843,773	1,775,518	See Comment
Total ALL Expenditures/Transfers Out	5,251,858	9,660,038
Surplus/Deficit	310,853	-218,749	Deficit Spending
Beginning Fund Balance July 1	3,020,210	3,217,289
Ending Fund Balance	3,331,063	2,998,540	down 10% since 2005