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Department hears mayor's budget instructions: 3% general-fund reduction in year one, 6% cumulative in year two
Summary
Mark Corso outlined the mayor's budget instructions and calendar: departments were asked to propose ongoing general-fund reductions of 3% in year one and a cumulative 6% in year two, submit departmental budgets by Feb. 21, and avoid requesting net new positions; the city projects a roughly $400 million two-year gap.
Mark Corso of the department's Planning and Finance Division presented the city's budget timeline and high-level fiscal outlook to the commission, including a five-year financial plan and guidance the mayor's office had issued to departments.
Corso said the mayor instructed departments to propose ongoing general-fund support reductions equal to 3% in the first year and an additional 3% the next year (6% cumulative). At the Fire Department level Corso said the 3% represents approximately $1.7 million and the cumulative 6% roughly $3.3 million. Departments were also told not to add any net new positions in the upcoming cycle.
Key dates Corso listed: capital and IT budgets due Jan. 13; department budget submission due Feb. 21; mayor's submittal to the board targeted for June 1; and budget hearings in late June and July. He also noted citywide risks to revenue assumptions, including a failed local sales-tax measure and federal funding uncertainty tied to a change in the presidential administration.
Commissioners asked whether approved hiring plans (including two H2 academy classes planned for 2017) were at risk; Corso and Chief Ace White said the mayor's office appeared committed to previously approved hiring and that grant awards in 2016 could allow an additional academy in the overall hiring plan. Commissioners urged the department to expand grant-writing capacity to diversify funding sources and flagged equipment and fleet replacement plans as items to follow closely.
Corso said the department will reconvene its budget committee and meet with the mayor's budget director; the commission scheduled follow-up budget discussions and a potential vote prior to the Feb. 21 deadline.
