Report Prepared by: Steven S. Carrigan, City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Proposed Budget
REPORT IN BRIEF
Public Hearing to afford the interested public an opportunity to provide input on the content of the 2017-2018 City Council, Public Financing and Economic Development Authority, and Parking Authority Proposed Budget.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council/Public Financing and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority - It is recommended that the City Council/Authorities conduct the Public Hearing and provide direction to the City Manager on the content of the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Budget; and adopt a motion continuing the Public Hearing to the June 19, 2017 Meeting.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 1104.
DISCUSSION
The Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 is a sustainable budget that balances operating expenditures to the revenues that will be generated during the budget year, adds needed staff positions, and allows for the Departments to add funding to cover City services gaps that have existed over several years.
The City Council has held a budget review session, three town hall meetings and a budget goals and priority session that has provided for public input on the projects, programs, and funding included in the Proposed Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Budget. The total City budget for FY 2017-2018 is $218.4 million, with a total of 487 authorized positions, one of which is unfunded.
The General Fund proposed budget meets the City Council's goal of balancing the expenditures to the revenues to be realized during the fiscal year and can be sustained as presented. In addition to the core General Fund budget of $39.7 million, there are several one-time expenditures recommended to be included in the City's annual adopted budget. The one-time expenditures include funds for a Quiet Zone study, enhanced park maintenance, a Substandard Housing Pilot program, an initial investment in the City’s Enterprise Resources Planning system, and a continued support of the Economic Development Opportunity and Revenue Stabilization Fund. The total one-time expenditures are $2.1 million.
The Measure C Oversight Committee met on May 23, 2017 to review the proposed 2016-2017 budget. The Committee approved the City Manager's Recommended Budget for Fiscal year 2017-2018, which includes funding for 12.8 fire and 21.99 police personnel, a reduction of 2.0 employees supported by Measure C, transferred to the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. City Manager’s Budget Message