By: Emilee Calametti | The Center Square
March financials for Shreveport show the city collected over $12 million in sales and use taxes for the month.
According to the Caddo-Shreveport Sales and Use Tax Commission Report, Shreveport anticipates an annual collection of $163 million in sales and use taxes. This total consists of a monthly collection amount ranging from $12 million to $15 million.
The city projected a collection total of $12.53 million for March. The actual was a little under $12.38 million, which is still 99% of the monthly budget.
Nearly $41 million has been collected by the city so far this year.
When it comes to spending, the budget sits right around $300 million for General Fund spending and encumbrances, and so far this year, the city has spent $61.6 million or 20%.
Each department has spent around 20% of its allocated budget with the exception of property standards spending 32%, and City Council spending 31%. City Council has spent $556,605 of its $1.7 million budget.
Property standards spending is nearly triple at $1.8 million as of March 31 of its $5.9 million budget.
Despite having only spent 23% to 24% of its budget, the police department and fire department have spent the most dollars. The police department has spent $18.1 million this year as of March 31, and the fire department is not far behind with $15.7 million. The fire and police departments are allotted one of the highest budgets behind the general government. The police department is allotted $74 million for the year, and the fire department’s budget is $68 million.
There have been a few major fund expenses that don’t include the General Fund spending of $61.6 million. The largest totals are debt services at $6.9 million and the Water & Sewer Enterprise Fund at $16.5 million. Spending also goes towards riverfront development, community development, the airport, and solid waste.
Overall, Shreveport budgeted to spend $665 million between general fund expenses and major fund expenses for the year.