Community Services staff presents proposed $16.4M budget to city council agenda

Staff told the commission the Community Services Department’s proposed budget will go to the City Council on June 1 and — if adopted by council — will take effect July 1. The department’s budget was described as ‘‘a little almost 16,400,000’’ dollars, with about $4,000,000 from general funds and approximately $12,000,000 in grant funding. Staff said they had previously cut about $3,540,000 during preparation and that many large program lines were grant‑funded, including roughly $7,000,000 for child development and $3,000,000 for employment and training programs.

During follow‑up questions, staff explained most of the increase of about $300,000 over the prior year reflected mandated costs such as risk management, vehicle maintenance and IT rather than new program expansions. Commissioners asked about funding sources and whether Measure V or CDBG money played a role; staff said the city combines general fund and grants, and that some graffiti abatement and homelessness outreach are covered partly by CDBG and general fund allocations.