By:  Diane Benjamin

The October City Manager’s report is now on-line:  http://www.cityblm.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=9452

Miller Park Zoo

Revenue from admissions was up 13.3% for the current fiscal year. Last year, the revenue from admissions broke the all-time record for the Zoo in a fiscal year. This represents the fourth consecutive year the all-time attendance revenue record was broken. Attendance was down 3.3% for the current fiscal year compared to last year’s attendance. A 4% amusement tax began on 1 August 2014. The tax is included in this amount. Admission prices were raised on 1 January 2015. Revenue from Education Program Fees and Rentals was up 2.1% for the current fiscal year. Revenue from Concessions, Carousel, and Animal Food Sales was down 3.4% for the current fiscal year compared to last year’s numbers

2015 October Attendance: 5328
2014 October Attendance: 6315

Simple economics.  Raise prices and tax more, less people participate

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Water Department – Billing and Collections

Water Department staff continues to track the City’s delinquent customers closely and uses the last resort of a shutting off a customer’s water. Shutting off water service occurs when a customer does not respond to delinquent notifications or does not enter into a payment plan. The Department is on pace for another year where the number of  shut-offs due to delinquency has declined compared to the previous year. There were 279 shutoffs totaling approximately $80,000. Of the 279 shutoffs that occurred, 70 are still off as of today, which totals  approximately $21,000 in funds not yet recovered.

This doesn’t tell the whole story.  Edgar County Watchdogs did a story you need to see:  http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2015/11/bloomington-il-holds-over-636000-00-in-unpaid-water-bills/

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Library – Items Circulated

Customers borrowed 115,446 items in October, 2015 which is less than the 118,036 items borrowed in October, 2014. There were 26,801 visitors to the Library in October, 2015 compared to 32,708 in October, 2014. Staff answered 4206 questions from customers this month compared to 4458 questions answered in October, 2014.

Plans are continuing to expand the library!

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BCPA – Reporting Measures
Attendance: 6,329 for October on-site events, activities, meetings, etc.
Facility Usage: 42 October on-site functions

6329/42 = 151 per event

As reported earlier this month, the BCPA doesn’t come close to breaking even:  http://blnnews.com/2015/11/23/bcpa-a-big-loser/

Full time staff would not be needed if the number of events was decreased.  If only events with the potential to make money were held, the BCPA wouldn’t be a huge drain on City Finances.

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Tax receipts look good – at least for the City Budget.