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The City of Newberry came out ahead of the game with its 2011-12 budget.

The initial audits show the city came out between $300,000 and $350,000 to the good.

The city was able to bring in more revenue than expected and reduce expenses.

Business licenses showed a good gain and with them being based on gross sales reports, Newberry City Manager Jeff Shacker says that is a good sign about the local economy.

In 2010-11 the city collected just over $1.2 million in revenue and had budgeted for the year that came to an end at $1.173 million but city actually collected a little over $1.3 million in business license fees.

Another good sign that the economy is improving is that building inspection and permit fees rose. In 2011 $53,995 was collected and the amount almost doubled to $94,170 in the year ending a few weeks ago.

Vehicle taxes collected $153,764 in revenue in 2010-11 and was budgeted to bring in $156,000 in the year that ended on June 30. But the actual collected amount was $187,672.

Court fees also increased for the year but the fire service revenue paid by the county decreased by over $30,000. This is due to the way the county is financing new equipment purchases and the cuts to the municipalities were cut.

Water revenue increased by 3 percent, sewer fees increased by 2.5 percent and electric fees increased by 2.72 percent. But with the increase came increases in expenses.

However, the city has just put in new waterlines between the water plant and town and are doing upgrades at the water and waste water plants. The upgrades are making the facilities more efficient and cutting cost, said Shacker.

Shacker adds the city is working to tighten its belt but while hoping for additional growth and a stimulated economy the city’s about the only way the city can continue to cut cost is with staffing.

While the city is not laying off people they are looking at ways of using the current employee base more efficiently. When a person leaves the city the position is studied to see if it is needed or if another employee can fill the role.

With the city working harder and taking on more duties all of them will be evaluated and bonuses will be given to employees this fall.