2018-2019 Adopted Budget

City Manager’s Budget Message

improvements to the City’s many public tennis courts, and $4.5 million for further development at Gateway Gardens and Barber Park were also included in the successful referendum. The 2016 bond referendum included $10 million for new transportation enhancements, appropriating $4.5 million for new transit buses, $5 million for new sidewalk and intersection improvements, and $500,000 for renovations to the Galyon Depot. The infrastructure bonds approved in 2016 provided ongoing funding of $18 million for resurfacing efforts, some of which are underway in FY 17-18 and will continue next year. The 2016 bond referendum also addressed the community’s need for additional affordable housing and other unique housing challenges. Voters approved $25 million for various housing efforts, including $8 million for a Workforce Housing Initiative, designed to make housing more affordable for working families earning income slightly above poverty designations. Funds to support affordable multi-family housing, emergency repair programs, and housing for homeless and disabled veterans were also included in the Housing Bond package. The proposed FY 2019-2028 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) totals $1.39 billion in identified projects and outlines a future financing plan to maintain our current infrastructure and develop new facilities as needed. The City continues to plan and implement a variety of water system improvements and maintenance efforts using both debt financing and pay-as-you-go (cash) capital financing. The proposed CIP includes $626 million in water and sewer infrastructure projects, nearly 45% of the total capital improvements plan. Water and sewer utility improvements include continued upgrades at the Osborne Wastewater Treatment Plant, major electrical improvements at the Mitchell Pumping Station and system-wide sanitary sewer and water line rehabilitation. The recommended budget includes a proposed water rate increase of 3.50% for customers both inside and outside the city limits. This modest rate increase translates to about $1.53 per month for the typical household inside the city and about $3.82 per month for households outside the city. This rate increase will ensure the continued financial security of this vital utility resource, while keeping our customer rates very competitive when compared to peer cities throughout the state.

The recommended budget proposes a competitive compensation and benefits package. The City invests in the health and well being of our employees through funding free annual preventative health screenings, free participation in the City’s diabetes management plan, low cost, on the job medical appointments, six weeks of paid parental leave and a variety of other paid leave benefits. The budget continues a variety of employee development initiatives, including MentorMe (employee to employee mentoring program), Toastmasters, and development programs, such as Leadership Edge and Leadership Prime, designed for employees wishing to pursue supervisory roles in the organization. The recommended budget establishes a minimum salary of $31,200 for all full-time benefitted positions and increases the minimum hourly salary for roster positions (excluding Coliseum) from $11.50 to $12.50. The budget includes an average 3.0% merit increase for all employees, based on performance evaluation. The recommended budget includes funding to advance sworn police and fire personnel to the appropriate next steps in the Public Safety Step Program. Finally, this budget maintains external competitiveness by adjusting general and executive pay structures by 2%. The FY 18-19 Recommended Budget is balanced with a proposed tax rate of 63.25 cents per $100 property valuation, the same as the current tax rate for FY 17-18. I very much appreciate the continued dedication our employees show to the cause of public service. We are prepared to assist City Council in adopting this service plan for our city. Property Tax Rate

Respectfully submitted,

David Parrish, City Manager (Interim)

“Achieve exceptional customer service, a diverse workforce and ensure fiscal stewardship, transparency and accountability.”

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