As the July deadline approaches, the city council will take another look at the city's 2-year budget and consider ways to shore up the remaining budget deficit.
At the previous budget meeting in March, the council agreed to eliminate about 20 staff positions. They also pushed the discussion on the remaining $235,000 deficit for 2010-11 and $750,000 deficit in 2011-12 to tomorrow's meeting.
According to a staff report, some of the cuts being recommended are ones directly impacting city council members. The council is being asked to limit their yearly travel budget to $6000 per council member, leading to about $30,000 in savings.
Staff is also recommending the elimination of medical allowances for city council members beginning in 2011-12. Right now, only Peter Yao accepts medical coverage through his position on the council so it will be interesting to see how he reacts to the proposed cut. If approved, the benefits elimination will save the city $21,936.
The rest of the savings being proposed are not so clear.
A big chunk of the savings, about $286,000, comes from "anticipated benefit reductions" from city staff. However, since contract negotiations with staff union are still ongoing, there is no guarantee that these reductions will get approved by the unions.
Another $252,798 in savings comes from "shift of salaries from GF to RDA." This means a handful of employees will get their salary checks from the city's Redevelopment Agency rather than the General Fund. While this frees up money in the General Fund, there is no actual saving to the city in the grand scheme of things.
Other savings come from "revenue adjustments" and "overhead cost refinements" where staff anticipates greater revenue and reduced costs not previously accounted for. Those savings amount to about $351,000 over the next 2 years.
The council will meet Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the city council chamber. The COURIER will have a report on the meeting in our Wednesday paper.
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Friday, May 21, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
More staff layoffs being considered
The city council will meet tomorrow morning at a second budget workshop this month. With another major budget deficit on the horizon, the council will need to consider more deep cuts.
The city is preparing its 2011-12 budget and city officials estimate a $2.75 million budget shortfall over the next 2 years.
According to the staff report for tomorrow's meeting, about 20 staff jobs, both full and part time positions, could be eliminated. Among those recommended by the city manager are an economic development officer, city planners, a senior engineer, a community improvement officer, groundskeepers, tree trimmers and more.
According to the report, the cuts could save the city $1,083,727 in 2011 and $1,699,343 in 2012, leaving the city with a deficit of $750,299. Staff recommends dipping into the General Fund reserve to cover the remaining deficit.
You may remember that the city already cut about 15 percent of its workforce last year due to budget problems.
Tomorrow's meeting will take place at the city council chamber from 8 a.m. to noon. It is open to the public.
The city is preparing its 2011-12 budget and city officials estimate a $2.75 million budget shortfall over the next 2 years.
According to the staff report for tomorrow's meeting, about 20 staff jobs, both full and part time positions, could be eliminated. Among those recommended by the city manager are an economic development officer, city planners, a senior engineer, a community improvement officer, groundskeepers, tree trimmers and more.
According to the report, the cuts could save the city $1,083,727 in 2011 and $1,699,343 in 2012, leaving the city with a deficit of $750,299. Staff recommends dipping into the General Fund reserve to cover the remaining deficit.
You may remember that the city already cut about 15 percent of its workforce last year due to budget problems.
Tomorrow's meeting will take place at the city council chamber from 8 a.m. to noon. It is open to the public.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Budget workshop tonight
Put a smile on the mayor's face by attending tonight's community budget workshop. The event allows residents to learn about the city's finances, vote on priorities for the city and participate in the decision making process as Claremont begins to consider its next 2-year budget cycle.
After less than 15 residents appeared at last week's workshop at the Blaisdell Center, Mayor Corey Calaycay was not happy about the low turnout.
"People often complain about issues after the fact but this is an opportunity for them to be involved and engaged as the process is unfolding," Calaycay said. "I'm hoping to see a much larger turnout on Tuesday."
The workshop will take place in the Padua Room at the Hughes beginning at 7 p.m.
After less than 15 residents appeared at last week's workshop at the Blaisdell Center, Mayor Corey Calaycay was not happy about the low turnout.
"People often complain about issues after the fact but this is an opportunity for them to be involved and engaged as the process is unfolding," Calaycay said. "I'm hoping to see a much larger turnout on Tuesday."
The workshop will take place in the Padua Room at the Hughes beginning at 7 p.m.
Friday, July 31, 2009
The future of Claremont's Commissions
One thing I forgot to mention in my budget report from last Wednesday's paper was the council's discussion on the city commissions. Claremont has 6 commissions that review projects, policies and programs before they get to the city council level.
Together they look at everything under the sun from architectural design of a new development to the Police Department's video surveillance policy, a new sidewalk or traffic light and removing city trees.
The 6 Commissions include Community Services, Police, Human Services, Traffic and Transportation, Planning and Architectural. The commissions usually meet once a month, with exception to the Architectural and Planning Commissions, which meet twice a month.
When commissions meet, at least two city staff members have to be there to make presentations, take minutes and answer questions. Sometimes the meetings run late into the night, eating away at staff time.
At the recent budget workshop, the council talked generally about reigning in spending on the commissions. Without much specifics, they directed staff to come up with ideas to find ways to save with the commissions. This could mean anything from less frequent meetings, combining commissions or even cutting some altogether.
The council will hear a report about the commissions sometime after the city's August break.
On a side note, the council just confirmed several new city commissioners at Tuesday night's meeting. There was one bit of controversy over the appointment of James Manifold to the Architectural Commission.
Manifold is an assistant Professor of Accounting and Vice President of Financial Aid and Business Affairs at Scripps College. He also worked on the citizens committee for the City's revision of the General Plan a couple years back.
But Manifold is technically not a Claremont resident. He lives on the county side of Via Padova. The council confirmed him anyways despite discovering the night before that Manifold does not live in the city.
The confusion came from the actual application for commissions, which does not clearly state that one has to be a Claremont resident to apply. According to City Clerk Lynne Fryman, the application does ask: "How long have you been a resident of the city?" Manifold answered "29 years."
The applications will be changed to say that only Claremont residents can apply for commission spots, Fryman said.
Together they look at everything under the sun from architectural design of a new development to the Police Department's video surveillance policy, a new sidewalk or traffic light and removing city trees.
The 6 Commissions include Community Services, Police, Human Services, Traffic and Transportation, Planning and Architectural. The commissions usually meet once a month, with exception to the Architectural and Planning Commissions, which meet twice a month.
When commissions meet, at least two city staff members have to be there to make presentations, take minutes and answer questions. Sometimes the meetings run late into the night, eating away at staff time.
At the recent budget workshop, the council talked generally about reigning in spending on the commissions. Without much specifics, they directed staff to come up with ideas to find ways to save with the commissions. This could mean anything from less frequent meetings, combining commissions or even cutting some altogether.
The council will hear a report about the commissions sometime after the city's August break.
On a side note, the council just confirmed several new city commissioners at Tuesday night's meeting. There was one bit of controversy over the appointment of James Manifold to the Architectural Commission.
Manifold is an assistant Professor of Accounting and Vice President of Financial Aid and Business Affairs at Scripps College. He also worked on the citizens committee for the City's revision of the General Plan a couple years back.
But Manifold is technically not a Claremont resident. He lives on the county side of Via Padova. The council confirmed him anyways despite discovering the night before that Manifold does not live in the city.
The confusion came from the actual application for commissions, which does not clearly state that one has to be a Claremont resident to apply. According to City Clerk Lynne Fryman, the application does ask: "How long have you been a resident of the city?" Manifold answered "29 years."
The applications will be changed to say that only Claremont residents can apply for commission spots, Fryman said.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Budget update
The council met all day on Saturday to address Claremont's budget problems. For the most part, the council went along with the City Manager's recommendations on how to shore up the deficit. At the end of the day, the council approved about $2.5 million in cuts.
The most drastic moves involved city staff and their working hours. Over the next 2 weeks, department heads will be looking at their staff in order to shave off 11 percent of their operating budgets. That means eliminating positions and laying off workers.
Those who keep their jobs are looking at a 5 percent pay cut while working 38 hours a week. City hall and perhaps other city buildings will be closed on Fridays, beginning in September or October.
The council also approved a "Golden Handshake" retirement package but it's only applicable to 6 current employees. The package offers incentives to employees nearing retirement age to walk away from their jobs early. If they accept, the positions will remain empty, saving more money in the future.
City services were cut. Fees on things like sports fields usage and parking tickets will likely go up. And the city will be looking at more ways to generate revenue.
A commonly expressed concern at the meeting was that the budget problems are not over. The state could come back to hit local cities and/or Claremont's tax earnings could keep dwindling. A scary thought considering how deep the latest round of cuts were.
The most drastic moves involved city staff and their working hours. Over the next 2 weeks, department heads will be looking at their staff in order to shave off 11 percent of their operating budgets. That means eliminating positions and laying off workers.
Those who keep their jobs are looking at a 5 percent pay cut while working 38 hours a week. City hall and perhaps other city buildings will be closed on Fridays, beginning in September or October.
The council also approved a "Golden Handshake" retirement package but it's only applicable to 6 current employees. The package offers incentives to employees nearing retirement age to walk away from their jobs early. If they accept, the positions will remain empty, saving more money in the future.
City services were cut. Fees on things like sports fields usage and parking tickets will likely go up. And the city will be looking at more ways to generate revenue.
A commonly expressed concern at the meeting was that the budget problems are not over. The state could come back to hit local cities and/or Claremont's tax earnings could keep dwindling. A scary thought considering how deep the latest round of cuts were.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Budget workshop to address $2.69 million shortfall
The city released the staff report for tomorrow's budget meeting. The city council will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to discuss an estimated $2.69 million budget shortfall for the fiscal year 2009-10.
According to a staff report, the city is considering cutting programs, services and reigning in spending by different city departments by up to 15 percent.
The city is also considering moving employees to a 38 hour work week, which would cut their salaries by about 5 percent. The move, if implemented, would save the city about $437,409.
According to the report, the deficit comes from $500,000 in a revenue shortfall due to current economic conditions and a $2.1 million loss of revenue due to state seizures for its budget deficit.
With the changes being proposed, residents will really feel an impact from this budget deficit. To earn more revenue, the city is proposing raising rates on parking tickets by 20 percent, issuing citations to cars parked in the way of street sweepers and increased transit occupancy taxes at hotels.
There may be cuts to programs like DARE, the mobile recreation program, increased fees for sports field usage, children's programs and much more.
The city council will have tough decision to make at tomorrow's meeting. In March, the city already squeezed $2 million out of the budget to close a deficit. Most of that came from the General Fund Reserve and benefits cuts to city staff.
I'll have a full report of the meeting in the Wednesday, July 29 edition of the COURIER.
According to a staff report, the city is considering cutting programs, services and reigning in spending by different city departments by up to 15 percent.
The city is also considering moving employees to a 38 hour work week, which would cut their salaries by about 5 percent. The move, if implemented, would save the city about $437,409.
According to the report, the deficit comes from $500,000 in a revenue shortfall due to current economic conditions and a $2.1 million loss of revenue due to state seizures for its budget deficit.
With the changes being proposed, residents will really feel an impact from this budget deficit. To earn more revenue, the city is proposing raising rates on parking tickets by 20 percent, issuing citations to cars parked in the way of street sweepers and increased transit occupancy taxes at hotels.
There may be cuts to programs like DARE, the mobile recreation program, increased fees for sports field usage, children's programs and much more.
The city council will have tough decision to make at tomorrow's meeting. In March, the city already squeezed $2 million out of the budget to close a deficit. Most of that came from the General Fund Reserve and benefits cuts to city staff.
I'll have a full report of the meeting in the Wednesday, July 29 edition of the COURIER.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Active Claremont hosts City Manager
City Manager Jeff Parker will be the guest speaker tonight at Active Claremont's monthly meeting. Parker is scheduled to speak about Claremont Budget Issues.
"The city of Claremont is feeling the results of the current economic situation that is also affecting individuals, schools, businesses and everything else in general. Come to our March 19th meeting and get first-hand information about the local impact of these issues from our city manager, Jeff Parker. Find out how it relates to the quality of life and city services," Active Claremont's newsletter reads.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Claremont Library. All members of the public are welcome.
"The city of Claremont is feeling the results of the current economic situation that is also affecting individuals, schools, businesses and everything else in general. Come to our March 19th meeting and get first-hand information about the local impact of these issues from our city manager, Jeff Parker. Find out how it relates to the quality of life and city services," Active Claremont's newsletter reads.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Claremont Library. All members of the public are welcome.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Budget crunch
If you don't have a life, as former mayor Sandy Baldonado once famously noted about residents attending a Saturday city meeting, then be sure to come out to the Hughes Center tomorrow.
The city council will meet in the Padua Room for a special budget meeting.
Corey Calaycay said at a recent candidate's forum that auto sales in Claremont are down a whopping 50 percent. Since auto sales are the meat and grave of the city's sales tax income, the city will be considering further steps to tighten its belt.
Some city services might be on the chopping block. Taxes or fee hikes could be proposed.
If that doesn't entice you, there are usually some bagels, coffee and cookies (unless refreshments got trimmed from the budget). The meeting begins at 8 a.m. and runs until about noon.
The city council will meet in the Padua Room for a special budget meeting.
Corey Calaycay said at a recent candidate's forum that auto sales in Claremont are down a whopping 50 percent. Since auto sales are the meat and grave of the city's sales tax income, the city will be considering further steps to tighten its belt.
Some city services might be on the chopping block. Taxes or fee hikes could be proposed.
If that doesn't entice you, there are usually some bagels, coffee and cookies (unless refreshments got trimmed from the budget). The meeting begins at 8 a.m. and runs until about noon.
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