Budget is balanced; Money added for police officers, addressing homelessness, and 10 percent of budget will be placed in economic uncertainty reserve.
Today Sacramento City Manager John Shirey released the Fiscal Year 2016/17 Proposed Budget– the City’s financial plan for the coming fiscal year July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. The budget overview can be read here.
“The budget is balanced and reflects the Council’s collective priorities as well as the community’s highest priorities such as addressing public safety and homeless person needs.” said City Manager John Shirey.
The total budget is $961.1 million, including $424.9 million for General Fund operations, $479.3 million for enterprise and other fund operations, and $56.9 million for capital improvement projects. Several budget work sessions are being planned and at least two public hearings. The budget is expected to be adopted on June 14.
“I am pleased to report that the city continues to benefit from a strong economic recovery with revenues growing at a significant rate, improving the fiscal outlook beyond what was thought possible at this same time last year,” Shirey said.
In June 2011, the City Council adopted a goal of establishing a General Fund Economic Uncertainty Reserve equivalent to 10 percent of annual General Fund revenues. Steady progress has been made in achieving that goal every year since and this year the City is expected to reach the Council’s goal with a payment of $4.2 million owed to the City from the State of California.
The budget includes several enhanced services and programs for the residents of Sacramento.
Public Safety
- Funding to support continuation of 15 additional police officers paid for this year with a federal grant. Additionally, eight officers assigned to forensics will be transferred to patrol by restoring lower cost civilian forensic positions.
- Funding for the expansion of the ShotSpotter gunfire detection system and grant match funding to launch the body-worn camera pilot program for police officers.
- $1.2 million to continue the work of the Mayor’s Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force, funding programs that provide youth and gang violence prevention and intervention services.
- A total of 13 park rangers to patrol the City’s parks compared to 9.5 rangers this year.
Economic Development
- More planning and building staff to respond to a growing number of development proposals
- Staffing dedicated to the redevelopment of key economic development opportunities in the Downtown Railyards and along the Sacramento riverfront aimed at expediting and removing barriers to development.
Quality of Life
- $1 million to continue the City’s efforts for critical local homeless programs including the Sacramento Steps Forward Common Cents and rapid re-housing and employment programs
- Staffing to support drinking water quality assurance testing and the implementation of safety and security measures in continued compliance with the Federal Clean Water Act and the State Water Code.
- Funding for two additional Code Enforcement Officers and implementation of a new approach to code enforcement will increase compliance and reduce community blight.
Good Governance
- 311 Call Center improvements and expanded staffing that will increase efficiency and cross-departmental team work, ultimately resulting in better service for Sacramento citizens and businesses.
Aside from the enhanced programs and services proposed, Shirey cautioned that the City is not keeping up with repair, replacement, expansion and modernizing of infrastructure at the end of its useful life.
“While the City Council has made the hard decisions to address water and sewer needs, the proposed capital improvement program in this budget falls far short of the investments that need to be made in streets, parks, and a variety of City facilities to keep Sacramento well-positioned for further economic growth and opportunity,” Shirey said.