It’s like finding money — in this case, a lot of money — under the couch cushions.

Now that all of the bean counting from 2011 is complete, it turns out that the City of Minneapolis has $5,814,263 in unspent funds that had been budgeted for last year.

But like that couch cushion money, it’s quickly been allotted.

“It is an unusually large amount,” said Ways and Means/Budget Chair Betsy Hodges, who also said $1.2 million of the money not spent in 2011 is designated for property tax stabilization. “I’m pleased that our departments were able to manage the budget so effectively.”

In all, Minneapolis spent 98 percent of the city’s $335 million budget. Some of the unspent money previously was allotted as part of the 2012 budget process. And quite a bit of that has already been spent.

The Police Department ended 2011 under budget by $1.2 million, primarily because pension fund changes and a higher-than-anticipated attrition rate.

During the 2012 budget discussions, council members promised the Police Department $485,000 in rollover funds to re-hire 12 community crime prevention specialists, should that money be available.  So far the Police Department has spent $400,000 on the hire-backs.

The Fire Department ended 2011 under budget by $319,000, attributed to overtime expense management. That money has been spent to hire four firefighters.

“Our departments are to be congratulated for the work they have done,” said Hodges, who added that many of the changes made on the department level will make it possible for even greater savings in the year ahead.

The city attorney’s office will receive $337,000 from the 2011 funds to pay for domestic assault prosecution and a restorative justice program. Those allotments were part of the 2012 budget process to be awarded only if money not spent in 2011 became available.

The Convention Center had budgeted for a loss of $7.1 million in 2011 but ended up with a gain of $3.9 million instead. The increase is attributed to stronger-than-projected tax and operating revenue.  

The Department of Public Works finished 2011 over budget by $1.9 million but had greater-than-anticipated revenues, leaving it $102,000 under their budget.

The City Clerk and Council Department finished 2011 with $670,000 in leftover money, which will be used in 2012 for elections.  The clerk's office will also receive $150,000 to fund their work in redistricting. 

The Department of Regulatory Services budget for 2011 came in $723,000 under budget with the savings attributed to lower salaries and a cutback on the use of outside contract services.

Hodges said that while much of the money not spent in 2011 has been spoken for, it is possible for council members to make changes in those allocations.

Two Cities blog, which covers Minneapolis and St. Paul City Halls, is made possible in part by grants from The Saint Paul Foundation and the Carolyn Foundation.