CLEARLAKE >> The Clearlake City Council approved readjustments to the mid-year budget review for the 2018 fiscal year to ensure all funds needed are available.
Although it sounds like mere bureaucratic jargon, the step is necessary to account for any reserved funds to ensure all funds required in the previously approved budget remain available. The readjustment also takes into account funds gained or lost through tax revenue.
For the city, the process brought some good news. Clearlake Finance Director Chris Becnel said this year in comparison to past years they have seen a large increase in total funds.
The fiscal year budget in 2017 reached an estimated $5.8 million. This year, funds available increased to $8 million, not only from an increase in the General Fund, but also due to an influx from Measure V and Measure P.
Last year the city went over budget by $17,689. This year, however, Becnel reports that Clearlake is under budget with an excess of $35,415, making almost a $53,000 difference.
“Just looking at the General Fund line we have consistently had an increase in the revenues to the general fund and in Measure P we have had a fairly consistent increase as well,” Becnel said.
This extra spending will go toward projects in the Strategic Plan, including those already underway. The plan calls for revamping public parks, repairing and paving roads and ramping up code enforcement, among other goals.
“It’s important to keep in mind that when we are giving instruction to management we’re following along with the Strategic Plan,” Becnel said. “When you do that you want to make sure that your budget priorities are aligned with Strategic Plan.”
The Clearlake Police Department, being the largest in the city, is looking to see a few changes. The department would like new vehicles, to fill vacant positions and perhaps add another Community Service Officer.
“The city has authorized three Community Service Officers and then authorized the hiring of one with the potential for a hiring of the additional two at the discretion of the City Manager based on the budget,” Becnel said.
Interim Police Chief Tim Celli said currently there are a few vacancies in the department: four Police Officers and a School Resource Officer. The department is also in the process of recruiting of a new chief.
“If we get to a certain percentage in staffing we will certainly revisit getting another School Resource Officer. I do realize we have other interest especially with keeping to our Strategic Plan,” Celli said. “But right now the second School Resource Officer resigned and we do for sure have the one officer.”
Aside from that, Celli said they are looking to purchase four vehicles for the amount of $54,000 to replace some of the older unmarked vehicles that have had some significant repair cost.
Clearlake Mayor Bruno Sabatier said Celli gave a report that there has been a decrease in crime in the city but is aware that there are other issues that have come up such as Animal Control.
“I would like to look into possibly getting a Director of the Animal Control Kennels to help alleviate all the work that Sargent (Martin) Snyder is putting into that and to help with the issue that we’re seeing at Animal Control,” Sabatier said.
