NEBRASKA CITY – City commissioners accepted an audit Monday that shows operating revenue about $916,000 below expenditures.

City officials say the city took advantage of its cash reserves to make up the difference between revenue and expenses.

City Administrator Perry Mader said an increase in the minimum wage, a substantial increase in public safety wages, capital improvements and financial planning for vehicles that include a fire truck pumper and an ambulance account for the increased expenditures.

He said the city did not rely on its reserves to make payroll, but took advantage of cash reserves to keep property taxes level.

Mader expects to enter the next budget cycle with cash reserves near the city council’s target of 35 percent of the operational budget. Reserves on Monday were short of the target at 30.4 percent.

The Forvis Mazars audit shows the city in good financial standing.

https://panhandle.newschannelnebraska.com/story/51759707/nebraska-city-using-cash-reserves-to-pay-wages