KIMBALL, Tenn. - It has become an annual tradition in recent years that Kimball city leaders relish.
At the Kimball Board of Mayor and Aldermen's November meeting, Paul Johnson, with Johnson, Murphey & Wright in Chattanooga, presented its members with a glowing audit report from the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
Johnson said Kimball's is "always a good report. That's something I can't say to all the cities I go to."
Paul JohnsonThe town's revenues increased from $2.476 million in the 2015-2016 fiscal year to $2.539 million last year.
"So, revenues are up once again this year," Johnson said. "The biggest revenue that's up is sales tax, which is nice to see. It means people are buying here in Kimball and those businesses are doing well."
The town paid half its debt off last year and was able to purchase a $200,000 garbage truck for which it paid cash.
Johnson said he's proud of Kimball's sewer fund because it's been the most difficult line item to get "back in the black" in recent years.
"Our revenues are up there," he said. "[Kimball] ended up making about $72,000 on the sewer fund. That's not a lot of money, but it's in the black."
The audit shows the town's governmental activities declined from $5.7 million in 2016 to $5.6 million last fiscal year.
"That's down $100,000, but just remember [the town] paid off $300,000 worth of debt and spent $200,000 on a garbage truck," Johnson said. "So, right there, that's $500,000 in cash that left, and we're only down $100,000. I say we're down, but that's really a positive thing to say there."
Vice Mayor Jerry Don Case said City Recorder Tonia May should be credited with much of the town's smooth operation and good audit reports.
"She keeps us up to par with where we need to be on it," he said.
Johnson agreed and said May is "a real asset for [Kimball]."
"She makes all of our lives easier," Mayor Rex Pesnell added.
Kimball boasts the lowest legally allowable property tax rate in the state at 10 cents per $100, and Johnson said the good decisions made by the board dating back decades have made things easier for future city leaders.
"I've always said that Kimball is ahead of the game here," he said. "So many cities are behind and trying to catch up and pay for things that were bought in the past, but we've paid for our stuff as we've gone. So, that's made it real nice."
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.