2024 Finance Department Annual Report
The finance department is responsible for preparing and maintaining the operating and capital budgets, cash management and investments, purchasing, payroll, and income tax collections. The finance department consists of income tax, payroll and accounting.
In 2024, Montgomery's All Funds Budget was $35.5 million. This includes the capital projects budget of $4.4 million.
Revenue and Expenditures
The charts titled "Where the Money Comes From" and "Where the Money Goes" provide a snapshot of how resources are collected and programmed for expenditures. In 2024, the finance department was responsible for overseeing the collection of approximately $12.6 million in income tax revenues and $13 million in property tax revenues. Additionally, the department is responsible for managing an investment portfolio exceeding $35.5 million.
As with most municipalities, public safety, property protection, and emergency services are the most important governmental functions. General government and public works, including solid waste and recycling, account for over 22 percent of the remaining expenditures.
The finance department prepares quarterly and annual reports, including the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). In 2024, for the twenty-seventh consecutive year, the City was awarded the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City’s 2023 ACFR. Moody's Investor Services continues to recognize the City's creditworthiness by assigning an Aaa credit rating to our debt. Montgomery is one of only a few communities in the State of Ohio to be rated in this category.
Income Tax Revenue
As depicted in the graph, income tax revenues have been increasing each year since 2013 with 2024 revenues exceeding collections from 2023 by 1 percent.
For purposes of balancing operations with capital investments and related debt service, income tax revenues are distributed into three funds according to the following allocation: 75 percent to the General Fund, 20 percent to the Capital Improvement Fund and 5 percent to the General Bond Retirement Fund.
Total Revenues and Expenditures
The line chart titled “Total Revenues and Expenditures 2014-2024” provides a historical perspective of the City's ability to program and budget services, capital improvements and related debt service within the resources provided through the annual budget process.
Sound Financial Policies
To maintain a healthy fiscal environment, the City Council has adopted an array of financial policies:
Investment Policy
The City Council adopted a conservative investment policy that applies to the City of Montgomery's cash management and investment activities. The policy is reviewed periodically, and City Council adopts updates. The primary objective of the City's investment activities is to preserve capital and liquidity, maximize investment income, and comply with state laws governing the investment of public funds. Investment Income is based on treasury yields and has ranged from $66,401 in 2013 to revenue of $1,811,160 in 2024.
Fund Balance Policy
The fund balance is an essential measure of the City's overall financial health. City Council adopted a policy requiring maintenance of a six to twelve-month reserve of operating expenditures for both the General Fund and Fire/EMS Levy fund, a minimum cash balance of $1,000,000 in the Capital Improvement Fund, a targeted fund reserve for Arts & Amenities is established at $376,237, and one-year reserve of debt service payments in the General Bond Retirement Fund.
Debt
On December 31, 2024, the City had $42.3 million of principal outstanding debt. Of this amount $36.3 million is special obligation debt, and $6 million is general obligation debt.
In December 2020, Montgomery City Council authorized the issuance of Special Obligation Revenue Bonds for the Montgomery Quarter development project. The Series 2020 Bonds were issued for the purposes of (i) paying the cost of acquiring and constructing public infrastructure improvements including, acquiring real property and constructing parking facilities, public streets, street lighting, landscaping, and other related improvements; (ii) and paying certain costs related to the issuance of the Series 2020 Bonds.
The 2020 Bonds are special obligations of the City and are expected to be paid from service payments in lieu of taxes payable by certain owners of residential and/or commercial property in the Montgomery Quarter. Residents may anticipate continued public improvements at the site, including additional streets, curb cuts, and lighting.