Press Alt + R to read the document text or Alt + P to download or print.
This document contains no pages.
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFin Preliminary Budget FY2015-16CITY OF
154,OK Agenda Item No: 6.c
Meeting Date: May 4, 2014
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Finance (e
Prepared by: Mark Moses, Finance Director City Manager Approval • 6r
SUBJECT: REVIEW OF THE PRELIMINARY CITY OPERATING
BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016
RECOMMENDATION: REVIEW REPORT AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF
TO RETURN WITH FINAL BUDGET FOR ADOPTION
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this report is to provide the City Council and community with an
update on the City's general fund fiscal status, the status of other key funds, and a preliminary
operating budget for fiscal year 2015-2016.
Staff presented the City Council with a five-month budget review of the General Fund on
December 1, 2014, and a subsequent nine-month budget review of all City funds on April 20, 2015,
covering the status of current year (FY14-15) fiscal performance. During these two reviews,
revenues were increased by approximately $953,000, mostly from one-time sources. This represents
a 1.4% increase of the original projections set at $67.9 million.
The City Council also made minor adjustments to expenditures, in order to fund the Marin County
Major Crimes Task Force, provide for the spending of newly acquired grants, and authorize the
expenditure of funds for the acquisition of the property at 1309 Fifth Ave for which funds had been
previously set aside. Reflecting the generally stable, economic environment, no other adjustments
were recommended or required. The respective, predominantly one-time, adjustments to revenues,
expenditures and transfers resulted in a net increase in resources of approximately $750,000.
As this report is being prepared, it does not appear that the State budget will have any significant,
detrimental impacts on the City's budget. This report will cover the following:
1. Update on current year (fiscal 2014-2015) financial performance
2. Preliminary, fiscal year 2015-2016 General Fund operating budget
3. Preliminary, fiscal year 2015-2016 budgets for other City Funds
4. Next steps for adoption of fiscal year 2015-2016 budget.
The key elements, assumptions and recommendations contained in this report were reviewed and
discussed at the Finance Committee meeting of April 23, 2015. The Finance Committee requested
that staff bring this report to the City Council for consideration.
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File No.: -g S
Council Meeting: 1 ['2_0
Disposition: Q CC_Q ��p2�
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
ANALYSIS: The City's financial position has improved significantly over the past few years.
Based on the planned allocation of $1 million to the General Fund Emergency and Cash Flow
Reserve, coupled with some residual operational savings, the City will close fiscal year 2014-2015
with its target emergency reserve level met for the first time in a decade. This milestone is being
reached a full year ahead of what had been projected at this time last year, as the current budget was
being developed and adopted. The Emergency and Cash Flow Reserve is set at 10% of General
Fund expenditures, which are currently projected to be $63.2 million for fiscal year 2014-2015. The
City has also re-established adequate reserves for worker's compensation and general liability
claims and has been fully funding its employee and retiree benefit costs since fiscal year 2012-2013.
Following years of deferring critical maintenance and upkeep of City facilities, the City has
executed approximately $2.3 million over the past three years in projects designed to maintain and
extend the life of its facilities. During the same period, the City has invested substantially in the
replacement of critical vehicles and equipment. Although a number of needs remain inadequately
funded, particularly in the area of City buildings, public infrastructure, and technology, the passage
of Measure E has provided additional revenues of which the City Council has dedicated a portion
(`/4 percent from the 3/4 percent transactions and use tax) to address critical public safety buildings
and infrastructure needs.
Operationally, the City's staffing level is equivalent to that of the late 1990s, and its technology
short of current industry standards. These issues are being addressed incrementally, and within the
confines of available resources.
PROJECTED FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 OPERATING RESULTS
Fiscal Year 2014-2015 is projected to close with positive General Fund operating results of $5.2
million, of which $3.5 million is dedicated to the Measure E set-aside for public safety facilities and
$1.0 million was allocated to the Emergency reserve, leaving $757,244 unallocated and unassigned.
The City Manager recommends that the $757,244 be allocated as follows:
Recommended areas of funding
Amount
Reason
Commitment to support county -wide
Transportation Authority of Marin
$125K
transportation planning, modeling &
Limited Term Fee Adjustment
monitoring (5 years g $25K/yr)
Assess Workers Comp & Liability
Risk Management Contractual Support
$ 67K
Trends / Develop Strategies to Reduce
Claims and Exposure
Reserve for future programming of
General Fund Infrastructure Reserve
$200K
CIP and Technology
Anticipation of higher reserve
Pre -fund Emergency & Cashflow Reserve
$365K
requirement in future fiscal years as
expenditures grow
Total
$757K
Other Funds are generally on target to finish the year within their current budgeted appropriations.
One exception is where increased revenue -generating activity has resulted in increased
expenditures.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016 GENERAL FUND BUDGET DEVELOPMENT
The preliminary fiscal year 2015-2016 budget projects approximately $3.5 million in additional
resources and approximately $4.4 million in additional, planned spending (uses), compared to the
projected results of the current fiscal year. The $4.4 million in additional uses includes $1.0 million
of capital transfers to support the Capital Improvement Program. The following table presents the
projected, current year activity (FY2014-15) and provides a comparison to the preliminary General
Fund budget for the upcoming year (FY2015-16):
General Fund
Projected
FY 2014-15
Preliminary
FY 2015-16
(rounded)
$ %
Change from Change
previous from
year previous
year
Revenues (ongoing sources)
$68,007,320
$70,871,000
$2,863,680 4.2%
Revenues (special/one-time)
$820,000
1,400,000
Transfers in
1,290,207
1,308,000
Total Resources
$70,117,527
$73,579,000
$3,461,473 4.9%
Expenditures (baseline)
$62,928,953
$66,341,000
$3,412,047 5.4%
Measure E Spending
275,295
380,000
Transfers out — operating
1,447,664
1,400,000
Transfer out — Homeless
100,000
60,000
Transfer out — massage program
150,000
100,000
Transfer out — capital (CIP)
0
1,000,000
Total Uses
$64,901,912
$69,281,000
$4,379,088 6.7%
Operating Results
$5,215,615
$4,298,000
Measure E set-aside
$3,458,371
3,468,000
Emergency reserve
$1,000,000
348,000
Recommended: Infrastructure
400,000
Recommended: GREAT/Other*
$69,000
CM Recommendations
FY 14-15 (from above)
$757,244
Net After Allocations
$0
$13,000
* - discussed on page 7 of the staff report
A detailed schedule of revenues, expenditures, and transfers in and out for the General Fund is
attached to this report (Exhibit I).
Revenue Factors
In fiscal year 2015-2016, General Fund revenues from ongoing sources are projected to grow by
$2.9 million, or 4.2%, over those of the previous year, reflecting local economic growth.
Property Tax is projected to increase by approximately 5.0%, and provide $700 thousand in
additional revenues over the previous year. Sales Tax from ongoing sources is projected to increase
by approximately 4.0%, and contribute an additional $800 thousand over the previous year. After
adjusting for timing of receipts, Transactions and Use Tax (Measure E) is projected to increase by
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 4
approximately $400 thousand, or 3.6%. All other revenues, including business tax, franchise tax,
charges for services and permit fees are expected to experience modest increases ranging from
2.0-4.0%
There are two, major one-time revenues projected for fiscal year 2015-2016, both of which are
related to delays in revenues imposed by the State. In order to manage its deficits in the early
2000's, the State imposed a ten-year restructuring of the remittance of sales taxes to local
jurisdictions (known as the "Triple Flip"). When this expires in 2016, the City will recover
approximately $1.2 million in delayed sales tax revenues. The State has also deferred
reimbursement payments for State mandated programs: A portion of these deferred payments from
pre -2004, estimated at $200 thousand, is expected to be made during the first half of fiscal year
2015-2016.
Expenditure Factors
Expenditures are projected to grow by 5.4%, or $3.4 million, in fiscal year 2015-2016. The growth
in expenditures is fueled by personnel costs, including step increases and contractual commitments,
of $2.5 million, technology projects of $400 thousand, Marin County Major Crimes Task Force
contribution of $148 thousand. Also included in the expenditure assumptions is $100 thousand (net
of revenues generated) for the continuation of massage ordinance enforcement.
MCERA pension contributions increased by approximately 3% of eligible payroll, which also
increased by a modest amount over the previous year. This resulted in a 4.7%, or $676 thousand
increase in pension contributions over those of previous year. Staff anticipates continued, upward
pressure on future MCERA rates, based on the results of the recent review of mortality trends.
Measure E set-aside for public safety facilities
In May 2014, the City Council directed staff to establish a reserve within the General Fund for
public safety facilities improvements. This reserve is to be funded by the additional one-quarter
percent transactions and use tax (TUT) provided by the Measure E (three-quarter percent TUT) over
that of Measure S (one-half percent) which Measure E supplanted on April 1, 2014. As of June 30,
2015, this reserve is projected to have collected $4.6 million, and spent $275 thousand, leaving a
balance of $4.3 million. The collections represent tax proceeds collected since April 1, 2014, and
the expenditures represent pre -project identification and planning for safety facilities. It is estimated
that during FYI 5-16, an additional $3.8 million will be collected and $380 thousand will be spent
prior to the commencement of facilities construction. It is anticipated that the construction will be
funded from a combination of accumulated funds and the issuance of debt. Any debt issued will be
repaid from future Measure E revenues.
OTHER FUNDS
Successor Agency
Prior to the State Legislature -initiated dissolution of the Redevelopment Agency in January 2012,
the City Council met as the Redevelopment Agency, and approved its annual budget as part of the
City-wide budget process. Under the current legislation, the Successor Agency is not required to
prepare an annual budget. All funding of the Successor Agency follows a different process specified
in the new law: Funding must be approved by the Successor Agency's Oversight Board and the
California Department of Finance for six month periods. The economic development -related
functions of the former Redevelopment Agency have been transferred to the General Fund. The San
Rafael Successor Agency Oversight Board has approved the minimum administrative expenses of
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 5
$250,000 annually for City staff time devoted to the dissolution of the former Redevelopment
Agency.
The General Fund continues to have some financial exposure to the activities of the Successor
Agency. The Successor Agency Oversight Board, the Department of Finance and the State
Controller's Office are charged with making decisions pertaining to the disposal of Successor
Agency assets as well as the resources allocated to future funding the administration of the
Successor Agency as it winds down. Thus far, decisions imposed on the Successor Agency have not
had a detrimental impact on the General Fund.
Capital Improvement Program
The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) was covered in a separate report presented by Public
Works and approved by the City Council on March 16. The appropriations to be carried -over into
fiscal year 2015-2016 from previous years are expected to equal approximately $12.3 million and
will be combined with new appropriations of approximately $7.2 million from special revenue,
grants and other capital funding sources.
Special Revenue and Grant Funds
These funds have restricted uses, based on their respective sources. One significant fund in this
group is the Paramedic Fund, which is presented to the City Council as a separate item in order to
establish the Paramedic Tax rates for fiscal year 2015-2016. The fund has planned expenditures of
$6.7 million for the upcoming fiscal year, of which $3.8 million, or 58%, comes from the Paramedic
Tax. The balance of the funding of this activity comes from third -party billings and other cost
recovery for emergency medical response services.
The Homeless Initiative find was established to fiend the Downtown Streets Team and other efforts
to support the actions recommended by the Homelessness Ad hoc Subcommittee and approved by
the City Council. The source of funding includes contributions from the City, County of Marin and
other local organizations. Fiscal year 2015-2016 marks the third full year of operations for this
program.
Measure A — Open Space is now in its second full year. Funding for this activity is primarily
provided by a nine-year, county -wide sales tax that is managed by the County of Marin, with the
City providing discretionary contributions as needed. The focus for fiscal year 2015-2016, for
which $400,000 in revenues are projected, remains on recreational facility improvements and open -
space enjoyment and safety. The fiscal year 2015-2016 Measure A — Open Space Workplan, will
be presented to the City Council separately on May 18.
Measure C, the Library parcel tax, is included in this group and is funded adequately to ensure
continuity of service levels in the next fiscal year. The purpose of the tax is to "augment the
capacity of the City of San Rafael to provide quality library services to its residents."
The Recreation and Childcare Funds, operated by Community Services are anticipating spending
plans of $4.11 million and $3.98 million, respectively. Fee income covers 69% of the Recreation
budget, while fee and grant income cover 97% of the Childcare budget.
Other significant funds in this category include Gas Tax, Sewer Maintenance, Storm Water, and
Business Improvement District. These funds are adequately funded to execute their respective
spending plans for fiscal year 2015-2016.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 6
Enterprise Fund (Parking Services)
The sole fund in this category is the Parking Services Fund. Currently, operations are funded via
parking fees and fines, and fiord balance is the only resource with which to cover capital
improvements. The parking structures and lots have deferred maintenance issues that will need to be
addressed over the next few years, in order to preserve these revenue -generating assets. The
operating and capital expenditure budgets for this fund are $4.53 million and $150 thousand,
respectively.
Internal Service Funds and Capital Replacement Funds
These funds are used to manage services that are delivered throughout the organization. For
example, computer replacement, employee benefits, workers compensation, general liability and
vehicle replacement are funded via internal charges to the funds that utilize these respective
services. These fiends have sufficient resources to support services for fiscal year 2015-2016. The
technology internal service find and the capital replacement funds (e.g., building maintenance,
equipment and vehicle replacement) remain underfinded with respect to the City's long-term needs,
but are adequately funded in the short-term.
CITY-WIDE FUND SUMMARY
The following table shows the projected July 1, 2015, beginning balance for all major fund
classifications, and incorporates the projected revenues and planned expenditures that have been
incorporated into this preliminary budget.
STAFFING
The City's current level of regular staffing, 386 FTE (full time equivalent), is 13 percent below the
peak of 445 FTE that was supported in fiscal year 2007-2008. The erosion of staffing levels has
significantly reduced the City's organizational capacity, and leaves few resources available to
proactively manage emerging issues, or to ensure smooth and consistent continuity of services. The
management team has considered the impact of the severe restructuring on the City's ability to
effectively and sustainably deliver services upon which the residents depend.
Sources
Uses
Fund
Projected
(Revenues
(Expenditures
Projected
Balances
Balance
and
and
July 1, 2015
Transfers)
Transfers)
June 30, 2016
General Fund
$11,013,794
$73,579,000
$69,281,296
$15,311,498
Special Revenue/Grant/Trust
26,289,944
22,396,588
25,765,517
22,921,015
Enterprise (Parking)
2,034,396
4,935,500
4,678,710
2,291,186
Internal Service /
Capital Replacement
10,946,386
12,764,798
16,010,119
7,701,065
Debt Service
165,615
200
0
165,815
Misc Capital Project Funds
1,535,603
1,001,900
3,900
2,533,603
Adj for ISF Charges/Transfers
0
(15,342,534)
(15,342,534)
0
City-wide Totals
$51,985,738
599,335,452
$100,397,008
$50,924,182
STAFFING
The City's current level of regular staffing, 386 FTE (full time equivalent), is 13 percent below the
peak of 445 FTE that was supported in fiscal year 2007-2008. The erosion of staffing levels has
significantly reduced the City's organizational capacity, and leaves few resources available to
proactively manage emerging issues, or to ensure smooth and consistent continuity of services. The
management team has considered the impact of the severe restructuring on the City's ability to
effectively and sustainably deliver services upon which the residents depend.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 7
To address the most severe capacity deficiencies while tempering increases to annual operating
costs, the City Manager has proposed allocating a net $69 thousand for modifications to staffing to
address the following needs. Additional detail and recommendation rationale is provided below the
following summary table:
Department
Personnel Action
General Fund
Funding Source
Net Add'l Costs
Community
Eliminate 1.0 FTE Deputy Bldg Official
Development
Eliminate 1.0 FTE Associate Planner
none
Increase in
--------------------------------------------
Building Fees
Add 1 Planning Technician
(separate action
Add I Sr Building Inspector /
on May 18, 2015)
Plans Examiner
Add I Permit Services Supervisor
Add 1 Assistant Planner
Finance — Business
Convert 0.72 fixed -term to 0.72
negligible
Business Tax
Tax & Cashiering
regular position.
Police — HOME
Convert 1.0 fixed -term Mental Health
none
$40K from
Outreach to 1.0 regular position.
Homeless
Initiative
allocation
Management
Reclassify Management Analyst
$21,000
General Fund
Services —
(no impact on headcount)
Communications
Human Resources
Add 0.5 FTE Human Resources
$48,000
General Fund
- Benefits
Representative
Total
$69,000
The proposed actions add a net 4.22 regular FTEs, for a total of 390.15. Fixed -term positions are
reduced under this plan by 1.72, from 7.98 to 6.26.
Community Development. This department's proposed reorganization eliminates two recently
vacated positions and adds four positions as presented in the table above. These changes are part of
the Community Development Department Customer Service Strategic Plan to shift resources to
provide more personnel to assist with counter service to the general public. Funding for these
positions would be offset by the replacement of higher level positions with lower level positions,
and a proposed increase in building permit fees (scheduled for City Council hearing on May 18),
resulting in no net additional cost. These proposed actions would result in a net increase of 2.0 FTE
in the Community Development Department.
Finance (Business Tax, Customer Service & Cashiering). It is recommended that the current
0.72 fixed -term position be converted to a 0.72 permanent, regular position, to ensure continued
capacity to expedite business license processing and adequately cover customer service and
cashiering requirements for business tax and community development transactions.
Police (HOME). As part of the City's Homeless Action Plan, the City created a Police Department
unit called the Homeless Outreach and Mental Health Education Team or "HOME". Originally
proposed as a three-year pilot or test, this effort (in its second year) has been proven quickly to be a
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 8
very successfid program resulting in transitioning those in need to health resources, permanent
housing and self-sufficiency. A unique non -sworn Police position, the Mental Health Outreach
position is key to the success of HOME, linking clients to mental health services. It is
recommended that the position be converted from fixed -term to a permanent, regular position.
Management Services. The City Council recently adopted a Community Engagement Action Plan,
which identified measures to be taken to improve communication and increase citizen engagement.
To begin to move forward on this Plan, it is recommended that a new Senior Management Analyst
position be created, as a reclassification of a current Management Analyst position in the City
Manager's office. This new mid -management position would dedicate approximately 30% of staff
time to efforts in the Plan, and the remaining time would continue to work on policy issues,
research, new ordinances and/or regulations. This proposed change would have no impact on
headcount.
Human Resources. Some of the City's reductions during the Great Recession have proven
unsustainable, especially as it relates to benefits administration and processing. In order to improve
internal benefits and payroll processes, it is recommended that a 0.5 FTE Human Resources
Representative be created to provide improved employee benefits administration.
Staff is preparing to return to Council at the meeting of May 18, 2015 with the following items:
1. Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Final Budget Adjustments
2. Fiscal Year 2015-2016 City-wide Budget Adoption
3. GANN Appropriations Limit
FISCAL IMPACT: The preliminary fiscal year 2015-2016 budgets have been prepared for all
funds. Funding sources are sufficient to support the preliminary spending plans presented. The
preliminary General Fund budget does not use borrowed monies or reserves as resources with
which to fund current period operational expenditures.
RECOMMEDED ACTION: Direct staff to return on May 18, 2015 with a final, City-wide budget,
incorporating modifications or changes discussed at this City Council meeting.
ATTACHMENT
General Fund Preliminary Budget FY 2015-2016
GENERALFUND
PRELIMINARY BUDGET FY 2015-2016
REVENUES & OTHER OPERATIONAL SOURCES
Taxes
Property Tax and related $ 16,658,000
Sales Tax / Triple Flip 22,343,000
Sales Tax -Measure E 11,544,000
Franchise Tax 3,481,000
Business Tax 2,803,000
Transient Occupancy Tax 2,493,000
Other Agencies
CSA#19 Fire Service 1,696,000
VLF Backfill 4,844,000
Other Agencies (Prop 172, Owner Prop Tax, State Mandate, Other agencies) 994,000
Other Revenues
Permits & Licenses (building, electrical, encroachment, use, alarm) 2,145,000
Fine & Forfeitures (traffic, vehicle, etc.) 473,000
Interest & Rents (investment earnings, rents, etc.) 277,000
Charges for Services (includes dev't fees and plan review) 2,062,000
Other Revenue (damage reimbursements, misc income) 457,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub -total: Revenues $ 72,270,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSFERSIN
from Gas Tax 400,000
from SRSD Sewer Maint Fund - Admin. cost 259,000
from Parking Services Fund - Admin. cost 374,000
from Employee Retirement Fund - POB debt payment 276,520
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub -total: Transfers In $ 1,309,520
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENDITURES AND OTHER OPERATIONAL USES
Expenditures by Department
Finance
2,507,367
Non -Departmental
2,854,769
City Manager/City Council
2,097,803
City Clerk
487,671
Mgt Serv: Adm,IT,HR,Pkg.Emg
1,813,795
City Attorney
856,300
Community Development
3,562,058
Police
21,679,053
Fire
16,956,976
Public Works
10,960,429
Library
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,945,075
Sub -total: Expenditures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$
66,721,296
TRANSFERS OUT
to Childcare Fund - Operating support
100,000
to Recreation Fund - Operating support
1,300,000
to Special Revenue Fund - Massage enforcement
100,000
to Special Revenue Fund - Homeless Initiative Project
60,000
to Capital Project Fund -Capital Improvement Projects -
-----------------------------
- - ---
1,000,000
Sub-total: Transfers Out
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$
2,560,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL-OPERATIONAL?USES
$
69,281,296::
------NET ---OPERATIONAL------------------RESULTS------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'
$
4__,_2_9_8,___2_2_4___
EXHIBIT 1