Council Adopts City's Proposed Budget

On Monday, June 22, San Bernardino City staff presented its fiscal year 2015-2016 Proposed Annual Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budget to the mayor, council and public in a budget workshop session. Budget sessions were initially scheduled over a two-to-three day period, however, the city manager, deputy city managers and directors presented a budget that enabled the council to review and work through items in a single session, adopting the proposed budget unanimously. "I'm extremely pleased to see that the council adopted the budget and was unified in their support of the budget. This is a fine example of how our council can work together as a team for the residents of San Bernardino," said Mayor Carey Davis. The proposed budget represents the spending plans for fund types such as the General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Capital Projects Funds, Internal Service Funds, and the Enterprise Fund. The city's budget includes appropriations for economic development staff, information technology updates, police equipment and vehicles. As the city works through the challenging economy and current financial circumstances, a balanced General Fund budget for the fiscal year is made possible because the city continues under the protection of Chapter 9 Bankruptcy. As noted by Deputy City Manager, Nita McKay, the budget will evolve and adjustments will be made as we begin to implement organizational efficiencies, cost saving measures and labor negotiations as outlined in the Recovery Plan and Plan of Adjustment. The city's ultimate goal is to reach fiscal, budget and service solvency in the years to come, leaders said. Revisions based on City Council feedback during the budget session will be reflected in the final fiscal year 2015-16 budget, which will be made available on SBCity.org when complete.