One of the most volatile numbers in Jordan's city budget continues to be the projection for building permit revenues.

Although it isn't a large portion of the Jordan's city budget, the city council frequently asks about the status of building permit revenues, which are significantly down this year.

In the 2008 budget, the city planned for $230,100 in proceeds from building permits, expecting the economy to slowly pick up. But even a conservative projection wasn't small enough. 

Five new home permits, along with an increase in miscellaneous -- remodeling projects and the like -- have brought in $41,211.63 for the city, Finance Director Tom Nikunen said tonight. That's 18 percent of the budgeted revenues for this year, as of the end of July.

In 2007, the city brought in $154,000.

This year, city staff has changed its projection to indicate a shortfall of $125,000 due to the slow homebuilding market. It foresees court fines being down $50,000, compared to the budgeted revenue stream of $105,000. And the police contract will cost the city $35,000 more than it had budgeted.

A potential $210,000 budget shortfall could be fixed with some or all of the following measures, according to a report written by Nikunen to the city council:

- not hiring a police officer this year, $23,000;

- $40,000 in pay for a school resource officer in Jordan Public Schools and the Minnesota River Valley Cooperative;

- not spending $67,000 in unallocated funds;

- saving $30,000 on building inspection fees, due to the economic slowdown;

- saving $20,000 on prosecution fees that would've been spent if police issued more citations;

- and saving $30,000 on parks and consultants.