City Money Update: Where It Comes From and Where It Goes

At a recent meeting, city finance leaders shared a small rise in first-quarter income tax collections for 2026. The bump was tiny—just half a percent higher than the same time last year, adding $3, 872. Most of that extra cash came from people filing personal tax returns, business estimates, and payroll deductions. But not all sectors did well; local businesses reported lower profits, and some individual estimates came in under what was expected. Officials aren’t celebrating too much. During the discussion, a council member asked why the numbers didn’t match earlier guesses. The finance director admitted the city had hoped for a bigger jump. They’re now watching closely to see if the trend holds. One big worry is that businesses aren’t earning as much as predicted, which could mean less revenue down the road.Another topic came up: data centers and their impact. A local resident asked if the city was considering more of these large power-hungry facilities. Officials explained that while Green isn’t an ideal spot for such operations—due to water use and zoning limits—they’re still looking into the issue. Some data centers bring big investments but don’t hire many workers or boost local taxes much. There’s also growing pushback against giving them tax breaks, which could mean more money for the city if those deals aren’t made. The meeting also celebrated a program that gets high school students involved in local government. Since 2016, over 100 students have joined city boards, learning how decisions are made. This year’s group includes 23 students, who’ll work alongside officials. The mayor said he hopes the program sparks a lifelong interest in community service. Later, the council approved spending nearly a quarter million on new road markings and a million to fix the worst roads. They also locked in a small budget for community correction services, though the actual costs have been much lower in recent years.