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Planning Department outlines 2011–12 budget schedule, warns of environmental review fee shortfall
Summary
Planning Department staff presented a budget development schedule and a preliminary review of the current year and 2011–12 outlook, noting a projected shortfall in environmental review fee revenue relative to an ambitious target and describing $7 million in grant awards.
On Dec. 9 the Planning Department outlined its schedule for developing the fiscal 2011–12 budget and flagged a potential shortfall in environmental review fee revenue while reporting that department staff have secured roughly $7 million in grant awards.
Tom DeSanto, the department’s chief administrative officer, walked commissioners through a proposed calendar for budget review (department draft goals on Jan. 13, balancing options to the commission on Jan. 27, and final approval to be sought Feb. 10 with the budget due to the mayor Feb. 22). He said the department’s environmental review fee budget had been increased substantially from the prior year but that current collections through the first five months do not support the higher target.
DeSanto said the environmental review fee line originally assumed a $1.3 million drawdown from deferred credit and that prior years’ volatility—often tied to one or two large projects—makes projection difficult. He also reported that the department had secured about $7,000,000 in grants, roughly $5.5 million of which will support work in other city agencies, including MTA and Public Works.
Commissioners asked detailed questions about revenue assumptions, the grant list and the budget instructions from the mayor’s office that require departments to identify 10% general‑fund reductions (7% ongoing). Staff said departments must submit identified cuts to the mayor’s office in late December and that additional contingency identification is required.
What happens next: Staff will provide a more detailed mid‑year update in January and return with draft program goals for the 2011–12 budget on Jan. 13, with subsequent hearings as described.
