According to the city administrator, the future of the city of Washington’s financial picture is looking good, but it faces challenges.  Brent Hinson says that the city is in the process of starting to build back up the unreserved balance in their general fund.  He says the fund has been too low. Those funds are those dollars that can be used to respond to natural disasters, or to take advantage of opportunities where immediate investment will bring long-term benefits to the city. The fiscal year begins in the summer, and the city council works more fully on the budget during the springtime.