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Finance Department
Gregory Cingle, Director
216-433-1300
gcingle@cityofbrookpark.com
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Life long resident of
Brook Park
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Current Finance Director
of Brook Park (11 Years)
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Sixteen years Accounting Experience
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Graduate of Baldwin
Wallace College and Midpark High School
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Member of Ohio Society
of C.P.A’s; and AICPA
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Member National and Ohio Governmental Finance Officers Association
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Member Municipal Finance
Officers Association currently serving as President
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Member Ohio Municipal League
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Volunteer Treasurer of
Berea City School Educational Community Fund
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Received Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
from the National Governmental Finance Officers Association for the past
10 years in office
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State Auditor's Award
recognizing financial reporting excellence the past 10 years in office
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From the Newsletter
Audit Update
As reported in the previous newsletter, the audit for fiscal year ending
December 31, 2007, began in late December. The auditors from the
independent public accounting firm of James G. Zupka, CPA, Inc. spent
approximately five weeks on the City premises thoroughly reviewing our
financial records. At the time of this report, the City expects to
receive an unqualified (clean) audit opinion. We will keep the residents
informed as to the results of the audit in a future newsletter.
Awards
State of Ohio Recognition – Former Auditor of State Betty Montgomery
recognized the
city of Brook Park for excellent financial accountability. Auditor
Montgomery presented the city of Brook Park, under the direction of
Finance Director Gregory Cingle, with the Making Your Tax Dollars Count
Award for the City’s exemplary 2005 and 2006 Annual Financial Reports.
No citations were reported in the audits for the years ending 2005 and
2006.
“I applaud the city of Brook Park’s staff for presenting a clear and
thorough report of the City’s finances,” Montgomery said. “Fewer than
five percent of all agencies we audit are eligible for today’s award.
That says a great deal about the City’s commitment to safeguarding
taxpayer dollars.”
Revenues & Expenditures
For the period ending April 30, 2008, total revenues for all funds
(including transfers) were $19,642,367. Total expenditures for all funds
(including transfers) were $18,626,789.
General Fund – For the period ending April 30, 2008, total revenues for
the General Fund
(including transfers) were $6,760,289. Total expenditures for the
General Fund (including transfers) were $7,265,442. The General Fund
accounts for many of the expenditures needed to operate the City, i.e.
salaries, benefits, utilities, communications, professional services,
salt, contracts, etc.
2008 Budget
City Council unanimously approved the City’s fiscal year 2008 Budget in
March. The budget is becoming more and more difficult to prepare since
revenues are not keeping pace with the rising cost of expenditures, i.e.
salaries, fringe benefits, utilities, etc. Management of the City is
extremely concerned with the continued reduction of employment levels at
Ford Motor Co. and the general news concerning the long-term existence
of Ford Motor Co. within the City. Ford’s Casting Plant is scheduled to
close mid-2010 and Plant 1 has been idled this entire fiscal year.
Continued reductions in employment and/or plant closings will have a
material impact on the budget and result in significant changes in the
operation of the City. Management is in constant contact
with Ford officials discussing current conditions and strategizing for
business alternatives that will keep the Brook Park Ford Facility
competitive in their corporate structure, resulting in a long-term
existence in Brook Park. With that said, some of the 2008 Budget
highlights are as follows:
• Income tax revenue projections are $18,200,000. This compares to
actual receipts of $21,491,537 in 2007 and $20,803,830 in 2006.
• $1.7 million has been budgeted for the 2008 roads program.
• Approximately $415,000 has been appropriated for the Kolleda ditch
cleaning project.
• Nearly $7.8 million has been budgeted for the Snow Road grade
separation project. This is the second year of construction on this
project, with a scheduled completion date of spring 2009.
• The Smith Road street and sewer improvement project is budgeted for an
estimated $4.9 million. Construction on this project started late last
year. The City will receive approximately $626,000 from the city of
Cleveland as reimbursement for their share of the project costs.
• Roughly $667,000 thousand has been budgeted for the quiet zone
project.
Tax Budget
Each year the City is required to file a Tax Budget with the Cuyahoga
County Auditor’s Office. The Tax Budget is due each July, unless an
extension is requested and granted. The main purpose of the Tax Budget
is to set forth the fiscal plan of the community for the
upcoming year. It accomplishes this purpose by authorizing the County to
set the property tax rate on behalf of the City, allowing the City to
participate in the Local Government Revenue Assistance Fund and creating
a Certificate of Estimated Resources. The Tax Budget does not
appropriate any funds or bind City Council to any specific spending
program. This is done through an appropriation ordinance.
Questions
If any resident has a financial question in regards to the City, or even
on a personal level, please call the Finance Department at (216)
433-1300. We will gladly try to assist you.
Have a happy and enjoyable summer.
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FINANCIAL REPORTS
Click Here For Archived
Financial Reports
Annual Reports
Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report 2007
June 2008 Reports
Appropriations
Revenue
Fund
Balance
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