Manteca has collected more revenue than expected in the overall budget to the tune of $4.2 million as of the mid-point of the fiscal year.

And that has allowed the city to cover $3.1 million in increased expenditures.

It has also allowed Manteca to add $1.1 million to its reserves.

That makes the mid-year budget report presented to the City Council on Tuesday one of the strongest in recent years.

And that came with some general fund revenue projected that missed the mark by $500,000.

The $500,000 is the amount of projected revenue from legal storefront cannabis sales that has been reduced after the initial two locations taking longer to open than expected and a third forced to look for a new site after it was unable to secure a lease on its approved site.

That reduced general fund revenue was offset in part by more robust fines ($185,000) collected from police citations as well as ($50,000) from fire citations.

Usually, those two revenue sources are fairly stagnant.

The citation revenue changes are likely reflected by the high volume of red light citations issued as well as a significant increase in citations for the launching of illegal fireworks.

The biggest increased general fund expense was $1.5 million for public safety overtime and retirement benefits.

That said, the city is exploring staffing options that might reduce overtime and reduce overall expenses.

Another $300,000 was to cover contract needs connected with frontline fire personnel.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com