Woodside revenues rise, but litigation costs rise more Woodside revenues rise, but litigation costs rise more (April 27, 2005)

It was good news, bad news for the town of Woodside.

The good news from a quarterly budget review is that revenues from property taxes, real property transfer taxes and sales taxes are above budget projections.

Town Manager Susan George said it appeared that Woodside's declining sales tax revenues had finally hit bottom and were beginning to rebound. Total revenue into the town's general fund is estimated to be $150,000 more than projected for this fiscal year, which ends June 30.

Litigation, on the other hand, is estimated to cost the town about $300,000 this fiscal year, about $175,000 more than the Town Council had budgeted for, said Ms. George.

The year's most costly case was a lawsuit over public access to town officials' e-mail that was filed by Robert and Anne Bass, and ran up $134,000 in expenses. In January, town officials agreed to a settlement that included a $10,000 payment to Mr. and Mrs. Bass.

Several other lawsuits were filed by the town against residents with illegal building projects or other municipal code violations.

The result is that the town will end the year with about $1.24 million in its general fund, about $24,000 less than anticipated.

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