Gwinnett Daily Post

SNELLVILLE — City manager Russell Treadway delivered his quarterly financial report to Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer and city council members Monday, summing up the city’s third quarter financial position. According to Treadway, revenue is coming in to the city as expected, and expenditures have remained “relatively consistent” up through the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2011.

The sanitation fund retains a “fairly substantial negative balance,” according to Treadway, a typical trend for the city’s sanitation fund.

All of the city’s major SPLOST-funded projects for the year are either complete or in progress, including the police department headquarters, the public works operations center, McGee Road improvements and Phase II of the Briscoe Park renovation.

According to Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Bender, the second phase of the park improvements will include reworking the lower soccer field into a large multi-purpose field with new lighting and parking. The field will be able to accommodate lacrosse, flag football and other sports teams. City staff hope the new field will be ready to rent to area leagues by May 2012.

Action postponed on occupational tax hardship ordinance

Councilwoman Kelly Kautz asked to postpone a vote on the proposed occupational tax hardship ordinance Monday, citing further necessary changes to the proposed law before taking action. Kautz introduced the idea of allowing small businesses to apply for a hardship exemption with respect to the tax, but she presented some changes to other council members Monday and wanted to give them a chance to review the changes before voting.

The matter will be brought before the mayor and council again at the April 25 city council meeting.