The City Council of Clearlake convened on February 15, 2024, to address several key agenda items, including the approval of development impact fees and mid-year budget adjustments.

The meeting began with a presentation by Director Wells regarding the renewal and approval of development impact fees for fiscal years 2022 and 2023. The council reviewed the retention and use of these fees, which totaled $112,049 for the specified fiscal year. Prior to this, fees collected amounted to $416,393, bringing the total to $528,443 as of June 30, 2023. Director Wells emphasized the importance of formalizing the appropriation of these funds, which are intended to support the Airport Road and Eighteenth Avenue extension project scheduled to commence in the current fiscal year.

Following the presentation, the council opened the floor for questions, but no inquiries were raised from either council members or the public. The council then moved to approve the fiscal year 2022-2023 development impact fee report, which passed unanimously.

The next item on the agenda involved the adoption of the second amendment to the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget resolution. Director Wells provided an overview of the proposed mid-year budget adjustments, highlighting the economic outlook for California and the City of Clearlake. The state budget proposal, released by Governor Newsom, outlined a $291 billion budget for fiscal year 2024-2025, which includes a projected deficit of $38 billion, down from $68 billion the previous year. Despite these challenges, the state has access to significant unused borrowable funds.

Director Wells noted that the city is adopting a conservative approach to discretionary spending while focusing on revenue recovery. The council will continue to monitor economic indicators, including housing market data and sales tax projections, as they finalize budget adjustments.

In conclusion, the Clearlake City Council's meeting addressed critical financial matters, including the approval of development impact fees and necessary budget amendments, setting the stage for ongoing fiscal management and infrastructure development in the city.