Sales Tax (Current vs Prior YTD): Sales tax revenues plunged just over a year ago and have been down since. However, recent months show some recovery.

The Budget and Research Dept provides the Council and administrative staff a monthly report covering numerous revenue centers and other trends that give a snapshot look at the current fiscal and general health of the city. The Management Dashboard Report for the period ending Feb 28 has twelve areas on the Watch List because they currently are showing negative trends:

1. Building Permits
2. Foreclosed Properties on Market
3. Sales Tax Revenue
4. Landfill Revenue
5. SafeLight Revenue
6. Water Consumption
7. Wastewater Consumption
8. Utility Disconnections
9. General Fund Overtime
10. Firewheel Golf Revenue and Rounds
11. Priority One Response Time
12. Graffiti Work Orders

Several are only slightly on the negative side while others are indicative of a longer trend. Data from national and local trends are captured in the report. On the positive side, examples are: slight improvement in the local unemployment rate; sales tax vs budget and property tax vs budget; while some utilities are down, electric consumption is up slightly; police calls are down, as are code compliance complaints; and food inspection scores are up.
 
Between these two lists, only a few ares are mentioned here. Follow the link above to download the whole report.