Cullman County Schools received a pleasing financial report this month that showed a strong fund balance coupled with a half-million dollars in higher local revenue. 

Finances through April showed total revenue up by 4 percent, or nearly $1.45 million, while expenses remain on budget, according to the report presented by the school system’s Chief School Financial Officer Ed Roberson. The school board reviewed the finances during its monthly meeting last week. 

Total general revenue collected so far was $47 million, up from last year’s $45.6 million. Expenses totaled $43.9 million, up $1.6 million over last year’s $42.3 million. However, the costs remain in line with the school district’s budget, Roberson noted. 

Major local revenue — sales and property taxes — are also up, with more than $6.8 million in local sales tax revenue collected since October through April alone. That’s compared to $6.4 million collected during the same time last year. 

“Based off of current financial trends in Cullman County I expect us to continue to be right on or slightly above our projected revenue budget for the remainder of the fiscal year,” Roberson stated in his report to the school board. “However, we have received the majority of our property tax for the year and the monthly revenue will now begin to decrease.”

The school system posted a unreserved general fund balance of $11.68 million — about 56 days of operations — which is an increase of $1.14 million from the same time last year. Roberson attributed the increase due to last year’s strong fund balance and the higher local revenue. 

Also helping the district’s finances is nearly $1.5 million in savings from the Child Nutrition Program. 

The Cullman County Board of Education’s next regularly scheduled board meeting will be 6 p.m., July 13, following its 5:30 p.m. work session. 

Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 135.