The City of Jefferson is closing in on the end of the 2012-13 fiscal year on July 31st and City Administrator Mike Palmer deems it a success.

Palmer says overall, the City saw a small surplus in the general funds of $133,800.  However, Palmer notes, a one time purchase, that wasn’t budgeted for put the City in the red.

“We did pay for the golf course this year, so that did put us in a negative position.  But that’s a one time expenditure.  I kind of like to look at it if we didn’t have that one time expenditure, we ran just a little bit of a surplus, which is good.”

The golf course cost the City $280,000.

Palmer states that Jefferson is conservative community but are also progressive because the City takes advantage of different programs and grants such as using tax increment funds to improve housing and other properties to drive businesses and increase population.

The City is fiscally responsible when paying back bonds on time to not drive up interest rates.  He adds that Jefferson has a diversified economy with retail and a strong agricultural base.

Palmer comments that since he’s been here he’s noticed the City has done a good job of maintaining its financial principle of not spending more than you take in.

“We’ve always been a very conservative city and live within our means.  Like any community, prices go up and we have to raise some of our user fees and that’s part of the game.  But as long as we can live within our means and either break even or run a little bit of a surplus that’s always a good thing.”

Overall, Palmer adds, he satisfied with how the 2012-13 fiscal year went for the City of Jefferson.