Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reviews draft budget, eyes roughly 0.73203 tax rate to reduce deficit
Summary
Council members heard a draft budget presentation from former finance director Sandra Garcia outlining a plan to transfer about $856,000 of debt into the IMS account, proposed a tax capture near 0.73203, and set a timeline to file the proposal by the 31st for public review and a September adoption.
Council members met in a special session to review a draft budget and discuss options to reduce a recurring general‑fund deficit. Sandra Garcia, identified in the meeting as the former finance director, told the council the draft includes ‘‘transferring about $856,000 worth of debt into the IMS side’’ to reduce pressure on the general fund and debt service accounts.
Garcia told the council the current tax rate is 0.733163 and the draft seeks to ‘‘capture a 0.73203’’ rate, a preliminary number she described as a rough estimate. A council member asked whether the rate could be rounded to a flat 73¢; Garcia responded that she could present a rounded option but cautioned that some of the difference helps debt service for the water and sewer department. Sal, who identified himself during the meeting, asked staff to look at departmental cuts as another lever to balance the budget.
Garcia flagged specific funds of concern: the general fund, the sewer fund and a $92,000 deficit at the civic center, while saying the aquatic center currently does not show a deficit. The council asked staff to rework the numbers and keep the same tax rate goal while seeking deficit reductions. Garcia said she would finalize the proposed budget by the 31st and file it with the city clerk’s office so it would be posted for public review ahead of a public hearing expected in early September.
The meeting included technical troubleshooting with an off‑site presenter before the budget discussion began; no formal motions or votes were taken during this special session. The council concluded by thanking Garcia and adjourning.
