Some of the members of the city of Branson’s Budget and Finance Committee were surprised to hear that the city of Branson is paying $115,000 in fees for the maintenance of some common areas in Branson Landing. This is in addition to the up to $310, 000 per year the city is obligated to pay for the operation and maintenance of the Branson Landing Fountains.
The discussion came up at a work session of the city of Branson’s Budget/Finance Committee held at Branson City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. The committee is comprised of Mayor Raeanne Presley, Alderman Stephen Marshall, Alderwoman Sandra Williams, Acting City Administrator Frank Schoneboom, City Finance Director Ferris Brown, and two members of the community appointed by Mayor Presley, Bob Simmons and Mike Davis. All were present at the meeting.
One of the reports being developed for the committee is a “Branson Landing Expense Summary – Budget Report.” The one page report very clearly shows the expenses that the city must reimburse the developer of Branson Landing for each year. It indicates two general categories, “Fountain” and “Maintenance.”
In general, under the various agreements that the city has with the developer, the city is obligated to pay 50 percent of the costs of operating the Branson Landing fountain up to a maximum of $310,000 per year. Those same agreements require the city to pay 33.3 percent of the maintenance for certain common areas up to a maximum of $115, 000 annually. The report indicates that so far, in fiscal year 2007, the city has paid $277,045 for the fountain and $115,000 for the maintenance of certain common areas.
Without the $115,000 limitation on annual expenses, the report indicates that the city’s 33.3 percent contribution to the common area maintenance for 2007 would have been $267,084. The city would have had to pay the following amounts for the items indicated: $140,762 for Cleaning, $5,490 for Landscaping, $8,645 for Snow Removal, $46,449 for Parking and Roadways, $16,363 for Repairs and Maintenance, $1,549 for Elevators and $47,827 for General Building Services.
The committee also discussed the on going development of other reports that the committee wants. Most of the discussion related to the content and format of those reports.
Furnished courtesy of the Branson Daily Independent.
