Features
Maintaining Balanced Budget
| Public Service Center Design
More Waterfront Property |
And the Survey Says
City Tackling Budget Challenge
The City’s annual budget process looks a bit different this year. The process creates a plan for services, activities, programs and facilities – based on expected income. This year, revenue projections are off and more unpredictable because of recent events as well as economic uncertainty at the State level and throughout the nation. We are now in the process of adjusting our spending plans to maintain a balance budget and prepare for a successful future.
How much less money does the City have?
Estimates project a $4 million gap between operating income and expenses in the coming fiscal year, and a
$4.3 million gap in the next, 2003-2004. Similar to governments and businesses elsewhere, the slow economy has caused revenues that are driven by buyers and sellers to decline. In addition, the tragic events of September 11 have kept visitors at home.
Our City budget is dependent on visitor revenues for funding programs, facilities, and services – more than 50% of the City’s General Fund is generated by visitors.
How is the City addressing this challenge?
In the upcoming fiscal year, we plan to balance our budget via selective hiring freezes, ongoing department reorganizations and, perhaps, through the use of special reserves set aside for this purpose. In the long term, the City must re-evaluate how we spend money and carefully review the value of all City programs, services and facilities. We will explore opportunities to shed programs and services that would have minimal community impact and continue to look for new and better ways to do business.
The City will re-look the fees charged for services and activities. We will continue to work to complete projects like the Cannery Row hotel and continue marketing to visitors, to increase our tax base without increasing tax rates.
Maintaining
Balanced Budget Takes Strategic Planning
The City’s 2002-03 annual budget is currently under development. And community suggestions and comments are vital to establishing the City’s financial plan – and even more important during these changing economic times. Let us know which City services and programs are most important to you!
“During this process we will identify specific strategies to balance the City budget and connecting with our citizens is an important step in shaping the City’s priorities,” says City Manager Fred
Meurer.
How can you participate?
1) Attend the Community
Connections forum scheduled for Thurs., March 14, from 7:15 to
9:30 p.m. at the Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza.
2) Participate in the other public meetings and/or hearings during the budget development process, see budget meeting calendar below.
3) Call 831.646.3799, fax 831.646.3793 or email us with your suggestions and ideas
.
For more details call 831.646.3940, or visit the
Budget pages.
Budget dates to remember:
• March 14, 7:15 p.m., public forum, Monterey Conference Center
• March 25, Life Support/Social Service grant applications due to Recreation
• March 29, Cultural Arts Grant Applications due to Museum
• April 25, 7 p.m., NIP Committee Project Selection, Council Chamber
• May 21, 7 p.m., City Council Reviews NIP Projects, Council Chamber
• June 4, 4 p.m., City Council Budget Study Session, Council Chamber
• June 18, 7 p.m., City Council Public Hearing, Council Chamber
Dates are subject to change. Check our Web site frequently for current meeting dates and times or call
646.3935.
Return to top
Public
Service Center Design Proposed Design
The needs of the community and City staff continue to outgrow existing space at the Civic Center with offices in cramped spaces scattered around City Hall. To address this issue, the City has
developed plans to create a “one-stop” public service center. Proposed designs were recently submitted and will be
brought before various City commissions. Look for opportunities to review the
Public Service Center design plans.
Why is an upgraded Civic Center needed?
Much City office space is located in cramped, dilapidated wooden bungalows and buildings that were not originally designed to serve as offices or to house our current number of employees.
For example, a bathroom serves as both a kitchen and copy room in one
area.
The buildings provide little room for storage of files or plans, and adequate environmental conditions are not
available to support the protection of historic records, resources and documents.
What is being proposed?
A one-stop Public Service Center where community members can do business with the City – especially
business involving planning, zoning and construction. The “first phase” would include building a two-story annex directly behind City Hall between Dutra and
Van Buren streets.
There would be plenty of storage for City records and museum artifacts and photos. The Service Center would
provide even better customer service and would require fewer funds for staffing upkeep and maintenance. The “second phase” will address needs of our public safety departments.
How will it look?
As shown in the rendering above, the design incorporates existing historic elements of the surrounding Civic Center complex. Old Town residents in the building’s vicinity are providing input about how the building fits into the
overall character of the neighborhood.
What about costs and should we be building during changing economic times?
The City has an obligation to maintain and invest in our existing facilities.
We have developed a plan to finance the building in a responsible way, through
savings we have been accruing over time for this purpose. The Public
Service Center is estimated to cost about $16 million.
More
Waterfront Property in Community Hands
Prime waterfront parcels along Del Monte Avenue are no longer available for private development.
The City purchased the remaining half of the “Catellus” commercial coastal property adjacent to Window on the Bay Waterfront Park and Wharf 2. More than seven acres of prime waterfront real estate is now permanently secured for recreational and public use.
In late 2000, the City bought the adjacent commercial parcel (Catellus west) and has been working with the community on a plan that makes the property available for public use.
The purchase of the final piece is a great example of partnership funding at its best. Of the $7 million spent for the seven acres (both parcels combined),
$3 million came from State grants,
$1 million from a Packard Foundation grant and more than $125,000 from private citizens.
Enjoy your waterfront and work with us on its transformation... you earned it!
Look for community meetings where you can come and give your input or call the Planning Division at
646.3885 (suggest@ci.monterey.ca.us).
Return to top
And the
Survey Says...
Results are in from the Community Survey distributed in the City’s Annual Report. Nearly 800 responses were collected. Thank you for giving your input. The survey gave community members the opportunity to rate City services and programs. Survey questions focused on 1) Housing in Monterey; 2) Stormwater Management; 3) Emergency Preparedness; and
4) July 4th Activities.
Here's what we learned:
Housing in Monterey: Citizens are generally supportive of pursuing the development of affordable housing (77%) but are divided on the issue of investing resources in housing for public employees. Regarding development of housing, respondents more strongly favored for-sale housing in outlying areas. Written comments frequently addressed the
Fort Ord property.
Stormwater Management: Four out of five respondents know the difference between a sewer and storm drain; and how to dispose of car oil and household hazardous waste. More than half know the laws regarding storm drains.
Emergency Preparedness: Most citizens (88%) have installed smoke detectors, and 64% check them regularly. More than 60% said that they could be
self-sufficient for 72 hours, in case of an emergency. Almost half know CPR, about a third have a list of critical disaster supplies.
July 4th Activities: At some point, 77% of respondents have witnessed the fireworks, more than
50% have seen the parade and just under half have attended the lawn party. Only 12% of respondents with an opinion had never viewed these activities. About three in four support all three activities and only 3% believe the City should not continue any of these activities.
Thanks for your input. Click here to view the
comprehensive survey report with
graphics. Look for our Community Survey each fall or send in your thoughts anytime.
Return to top |
