THOMASVILLE — Thomasville city government ended 2018 more than $550,000 under budget for expenses and expenditures across all its funds.

Ashley Cason, city chief financial officer, told city council revenue was more than $95,000 under budget, but net income exceeded the projected 2018 amount by nearly $482,000.

“We were under budget for expenses/expenditures by $577,181,” Cason said.

Some enterprise funds had more expenses than budgeted. Some internal service and governmental funds had expenses greater than appropriated, Cason told council members at the Monday city council meeting.

“In many cases, there were revenues to offset these increased expenses,” Cason said, “The remaining 25 funds were all under budget.”

Upon a request from Cason, the council amended the 2018 budget and authorized a $470,000 transfer from utilities to the general fund to balance the general fund.

City council expenditures were among those that exceeded the budgeted amount in 2018.

The council budget at the end of the year was more than $320,000 over budget, said City Manager Alan Carson. The budgeted amount was approximately $388,000. Final council expenditures totaled nearly $708,000.

“This was entirely due to legal fees and consultant fees and back pay,” Carson said, noting several lawsuits filed against some council members last year.

Carson said Thomasville Police Department was over budget by $137,000 because of overtime, legal fees and radio upgrades.

Thomasville Fire/Rescue was $226,290 over budget in 2018. Carson said the overage is attributed to overtime, unscheduled repairs, equipment and radio upgrades.

Hurricane Michael in October 2018 left a mark on the city budget. Hurricane debris pickup and vehicle maintenance expenses increased the sanitation budget.

Hotel/motel taxes were $169,000 more last year than projected.

Carson, who became city manager in January, said the cost of jet fuel sold at Thomasville Regional Airport increased 20 percent in 2018, but increased sales offset the higher price.

“They sold more fuel, so they had to buy more fuel,” the city manager said.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820