DAPHNE, Ala. — The city of Daphne expects to see around a $375,000 increase in tax revenue in 2011, contrasted with what was expected heading into 2010; but overall, the city could see a $100,000 dip in total expected revenue, contrasted with what was expected in 2010.

In 2010, the city budgeted to collect just more than $20.4 million in total revenue, but collected $21.2; the city expects around $20.3 million to come in 2011, according to the city’s Finance Director Kim Briley, but city council members have commented at budget work sessions that Briley is “conservative” with her revenue projections.

Speaking on just sales-tax revenue, Mayor Fred Small hopes that Dick’s Sporting Goods and Publix will help with his projected slight sales-tax revenue increase.

“In sales tax, I don’t look for a super-duper year. I project that it’s going to increase a little bit from last year,” Small said, noting that effects of the two stores, recent additions to the Jubilee City — should be major factors in 2011.

Editor's Note: This is part of The Bulletin's special "Mayors look toward 2011" feature that will appear in the Dec. 29 edition of The Bulletin.

Read the rest of the story (including why Daphne's mayor says the oil spill was "good" for the city — along with Mayor Joe Bonner's take on Spanish Fort — in that edition of the newspaper.