City Brief

Budget Workshop

Finance Director Paul Navazio presented a workshop on the budget for fiscal year 2008/2009.Projected General Fund shortfall is $854,000.Unmet needs include funding for street maintenance, a fourth fire station, a youth sports complex and city retiree medical benefits.Expenditure reductions to cover General Fund shortfall may include reduced staffing for planning and building, reduced reserve level and a soft hiring freeze that would exclude public safety and revenue-generating positions. Revenue enhancements may include additional retail development and new ballot measures for taxes. Construction tax revenues for the 2007-2008 fiscal year are $700,000 less than expected.Transportation Division funding faces a $600,000 funding gap for 2008-2009.Proposed state budgets could result in potential delay in $550,000 of gas tax payments from the state and potential elimination of $450,000 in public safety sales tax.Operating deficit for 2008-2009 is projected to be $1.79 million, a reduction from 2007-2008 level of $2.85 million.

JEREMY OGUL can be reached at city@californiaaggie.com.