Recommended FY 2022-2024 Operating Budget and CIP

During the last recession, balancing the General Fund was accomplished by strategically reducing expenditures, establishing more efficient operating models, and working closely with employees to contain personnel expenses. The City reduced approximately 34 positions or over 17% of its workforce during the Great Recession. In addition, during FY 19-20, the City eliminated 5.5 FTEs. As the economy continues its impressive growth from a sudden and deep downturn caused by the global pandemic as well support from the federal government through the passage of several fiscal stimulus bills that channeled direct assistance to state and local governments, the City is carefully adding additional staffing in critical areas such as Public Safety to address the increased demand in service by the Community. This is in addition to the budget for the staffing of the Third Fire Station which is scheduled to open in FY 24-25. While we would like to add more than the recommended additional 5.5 FTEs in addition to the funding for the Third Fire Station, uncertainties in the U.S. economy and our local tax revenue generating development projects that staff has built into its assumptions, necessitate a more cautious approach.

The chart below shows the General Fund’s unfunded needs at the City Council Goal Setting in January 2022 compared to the time of this Recommended Budget.

BUDGET MESSAGE 27