Measure B oversight panel reviews unaudited budget, sets March 28 workshop

Finance Director Anna Nicholas told the Measure B Oversight Committee on March 16 that the packet includes two financial reports beginning on page 8: an unaudited budget status showing revenue and expense for the Measure B (public safety transaction and use tax) fund, and an accounts-payable transaction report covering payments from July 1 through the packet publication date.

"Those two are pretty straightforward," Finance Director Anna Nicholas said, and added that interest earnings have been favorable this year, allowing staff to raise estimated interest revenue and supporting a projected positive fund balance. She said the external audit is still under way and that definitive fund-balance figures will be available after the audit and at the next meeting following the budget cycle.

Nicholas pointed committee members to the adopted budget available online and invited any member who wants a deeper review to meet with her or the finance team. She also reminded the committee that the next budget workshop will be held March 28 and that staff will report community feedback collected at a prior workshop.

Committee members used the opportunity to ask how current Measure B performance compares with last year. Nicholas said staff were “looking good” relative to the adopted expenditure plan and had not identified overages to date. She noted that staff will present more definitive numbers once the audit concludes.

The committee also reviewed a new expenditure review form intended to capture any committee findings about Measure B spending; staff said an item will be taken to the city council if a majority of the committee requests formal reporting.

The meeting record shows no formal budget actions or votes beyond routine approval of the agenda and minutes. The committee confirmed next steps: staff will provide updated audit-fed figures when available and continue outreach around the March 28 workshop.