CLEARLAKE >> The budget for Clearlake’s 2015/16 fiscal year was unanimously approved by the Clearlake City Council Thursday.
Adoption of the budget comes after the council held two workshops earlier this month, the first of which reviewed goals and priorities the council set approximately three-and-a-half years ago, as well as determine if any new goals are needed. The second workshop focused on the city’s general fund, revenues and expenditures.
The total operating budget for the city is a little less than $6.1 million, with the general fund accounting for approximately $4.3 million.
Economic uncertainty reserves total slightly more than $326,000, which would be used in the case of an emergency or unanticipated expense. Originally $226,000, the council approved an additional $50,000 to the reserve during its mid-year budget review. Clearlake City Manager Joan Phillipe recommended another increase to the reserve of the same amount with the 2015/16 budget.
“I realize that there are many needs in the city deserving of funding,” Phillipe said. “But the city must use every opportunity to conserve for a future rainy day.”
The risk management reserve, which is required by the city’s insurance, totals $150,000.
Capital projects costs will total a little more than $3.1 million. However, nearly $2 million of those costs will be provided by Community Development Block Grants and the Active Transportation Program. The funds will go toward the Phillips Avenue and 18th Street projects. As for revenue sources, sales tax accounts “for the vast majority of income” for the general fund, totaling a little more than $2.3 million. Property tax brings in approximately $770,000. Salaries and benefits account for most of the city’s expenditures, accounting for a total of approximately $4.6 million. Nearly $735,000 — or 16 percent — is allocated to health insurance, which is the second largest expenditure. Payments to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) is the third largest cost at approximately $641,000, or 14 percent.
Set budget priorities include economic development, finance, public safety and code enforcement.
The only changes made included adding administrative penalties to the priority of public safety and removing completed goals, which include the dissolution of the Clearlake Redevelopment Agency (CRA), lowering health insurance costs and computer system upgrades.
Economic development goals include implementing the Lakeshore Drive Downtown Corridor Plan; developing master plans for Highlands, Austin and Redbud parks; beginning zoning code and design guidelines; updating the city’s zoning map and continuing to support healthy city programs — such as the Way to Wellville and the Clearlake Collaborative.
As for finance, goals include an audit of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues; a 10-year capital improvement project and continued review of grant opportunities.
Animal control, abandoned vehicles, weed abatement, park signage and trash collection are all goals that fall under the code enforcement priority.
The council also decided to include administrative penalties to its goals. The issue arose from concerns regarding panhandling, unauthorized camping and discarded shopping carts, which are a result of the city’s homeless population.
Public safety goals include road maintenance, an update to the city’s emergency preparedness plan and a new phone system for the Clearlake Police Department.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
