Cynthia Barber, who was being paid $125,084 in January, is now making $174,999.99 as an assistant city manger. That is a $49,916 increase, which equals a 39.9% change. Ms. Barber is the assistant city manager over safety and neighborhoods.

Raoul Lavin, who was being paid $128,908 in January, is now making $174,999.99 as an assistant city manger. That is a $46,092 increase, which equals a 35.8% change. Mr. Lavin is the assistant city manager over financial management, accounting and procurement.

TR has also learned that the positions currently occupied by Mr. Lavin and Ms. Barber were not advertised.

This new information comes amid a contentious budget debate between the City of Tallahassee and several citizen groups that have questioned the City’s spending priorities.

Mr. Lavin told the Commissioners that as of now, the general fund budget for 2014 will result in a $5 million deficit. The is based on the projections of $136 million in revenues and $141 million in expenditures. The $141 million in expenditures is approximately $8.3 million above the general fund actual expenditures in 2011.

Tallahassee Reports put together the table below that compares the level of spending of the City’s general fund from 2008 to 2014 to consumer spending in Leon county during the same period. Consumer spending was calculated using Florida Department of Revenue sales tax reports for Leon County.

[table id=6 /]

The table shows that from 2008 to 2014 the City’s general fund expenditures increased from $132 million to $141, which is a 6.8% increase. During the that same period, consumer spending increased from $6.85 billion to $6.96 billion(projected) which is a 1.6% increase.

If consumer spending had increased at the same rate as the City’s general fund spending, consumer spending would have reached $7.3 billion. This level of spending is above pre-recession levels.

A comparison of Leon County spending will be completed when Tallahassee Reports receives the County’s proposed spending level for 2014.

During an informative discussion with Assistant City Manager Raoul Lavin, he detailed the parameters regulating the use of the rate stabilization fund.

The uses of the fund are limited to four categories. Each category has a minimum and maximum target level. They are as follows: Rate stabilization ($23-$50 million), Future Generation Needs ($37-$74 million), Retirement of Debt ($62-$116 million) and Fuel Hedging Program ($30 million).

Based on this information, the minimum and maximum target level for the fund is $152 and $270 million. In other other words, based on commission policy, the fund would begin running a surplus after reaching a level of $270 million.

To the best of his recollection, Mr. Lavin indicated that the rate stabilization part of the fund has only been used for low income relief to the tune of approximately $5 million over the last two years. There has been no across the board cuts in rates using this fund.

The Fuel Hedging monies are used to stabilize fuel prices so consumers are protected against significant swings in electric rates.

In addition, Mr. Lavin indicated that decisions on how and when to spend the reserves are decided during “rate studies.” These “rate studies” take place every two or three years.