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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 Budget Message BUDGET MESSAGE THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 2 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Francis M. Delach, City Manager SUBJECT: City Manager’s Budget Message for Fiscal-Year 2010-2011 DATE: June 21, 2010 I am pleased to present the Budget for the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year. The Annual Budget is the Council’s most important annual legislative responsibility. Budget preparation identifies community standards with respect to acceptable service levels for our citizens and the establishment of service priorities by the City Council. This document outlines and describes specific programs, along with a financial plan designed to meet the service requirements of our citizens for the next twelve months. At a time when many surrounding cities in the San Gabriel Valley, as well as throughout the State, are facing deficit and financial crisis, I am proud to report that thanks to the Council’s prudent approach and fiscal responsibility we are on solid financial ground. 3 The 2010-2011 Budget stays within current projected resources. In addition, the Budget contains staff initiatives to continue implementing the City Council’s goals and objectives. This can continue to be accomplished if prudent care is exercised in maintaining the philosophy that the City cannot spend what it does not have. Cost containment measures will remain in effect, and we will actively seek new non-tax revenue sources to increase the City’s General Fund resources. Again this year, as in the past several years, we will keep a careful watch on the State budget and legislative action that may have an impact on the City’s financial condition. The strategy for preparing the 2010-2011 Budget documents was designed to facilitate a balanced budget, to maintain and where necessary, enhance service levels, and to meet the City’s non-discretionary financial commitments for the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year. Revenues General Fund revenues and transfers reflect less than 0.65% anticipated growth from the prior year’s budget. Other major revenues are anticipated to contract or remain at prior year levels as the economy as a whole continues to respond to the real estate and stock market collapse. An additional factor affecting Azusa is the concurrent decline in water consumption and related revenues in response to conservation efforts. A detailed list of revenue projections is included in the Summary section of this Budget. Expenditures General Fund expenditures, operating transfers out and funding for capital outlay ($33,566,115) show a decrease of .29% for FY 2010-2011. Wherever possible, departments were instructed by the City Manager to reduce or eliminate discretionary expenses and requested to defer new initiatives until a financial review of the City’s finances at mid-year. Summaries of expenditures by Department for all funds and the General Fund specifically, are included in the Budget in the Summary section. 4 General Fund Summary The following schedule summarizes the revenues, expenditures and changes in the General Fund balance for FY 2010- 2011. The primary focus of attention continues to be the General Fund which accounts for the majority of non-utility operations, including, Police, Fire and General Government. There are no one-time or discretionary expenditures for the FY 2010-2011 Budget. The overall condition of the City’s non-general funding sources is included in the Summary section of this Budget. Beginning Projected General Fund Balance 7/01/10 $ 7,518,060 FY 10-11 Projected Revenues& Transfers In 33,719,615 Balance Available 41,237,675 Less: Operating Expenses& Transfers out (33,566,115) Preliminary Projected Balance @ 6/30/11 7,671,560 Less Discretionary & One Time Expenses Capital Equipment 0 Projected Fund Balance @ 6/30/11 $ 7,671,560 5 Summary This Budget, as presented, provides for the maintenance of service levels for the majority of City programs. However, there are several items that may affect our ability to maintain our current service levels. For those reasons, we have prepared a financial plan that will maintain required services within our operating revenue base and will not be reliant on one-time sources of funds. The projected General Fund un-designated reserves as of June 30, 2011 will be $7,671,560. Our goal is to continually look at our revenue resources, continue to monitor our expenditures, and implement efficiencies wherever possible. The 2010-2011 Budget represents a program designed to ensure that Azusa remains an outstanding City in which to live, work, and conduct business. Furthermore, I believe these programs reflect your priorities, as well as the priorities of the community, as they can be achieved within the City’s financial resources. Respectfully submitted, Francis M. Delach City Manager 6