cc17_089

STAFF REPORT

MEETING

DATE: May 9, 2017

TO: City Council

FROM: Regan Candelario, City Manager

Russ Thompson, Public Works Director

Maureen Chapman, Interim Finance Manager

Chris Blunk, Deputy Director Public Works

SUBJECT: PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF ON PROPOSED FY 2017/18 OPERATING

BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET

REQUEST Consider providing conceptual budget direction on the City’s Manager’s proposed FY 17/18 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Budget recommendation so that staff can prepare the budget document for public and Council formal review on June 13, 2017.

DISCUSSION

The City typically begins its annual budget process each January with staff from the Finance Division,

City Manager’s Office and each department discussing goals, objectives, expenditures, and revenues for

both the operating and capital budgets. The City Manager then prepares recommended budgets to

present to the City Council through a series of work sessions in April and May.

The City held three community budget planning workshops to allow residents to learn about the annual

budgeting process, provide information about Measures F & C, and receive an update on the Five-Year

Forecast. The meetings were well-attended and residents were able to meet with department

representatives and provide feedback and suggestions to staff.

April 18 Capital Improvement Budget Work Session – In the first budget workshop,

staff presented the proposed Capital Improvement Budget and listing of vehicles

scheduled for replacement in FY 17/18. The City Council asked questions and provided

feedback.

April 25 Operating (General Fund) Budget Work Session -- During this budget

workshop, staff presented a variety of data and information regarding the proposed

fiscal year 17/18 General Fund and Measure F budgets. Additionally, staff presented

information about each department’s current year accomplishments; FY 17/18 budget

recommendations; and FY 17/18 goals and objectives. The City Council asked

questions and provided feedback.

The purpose of the May 9 Council meeting is for the City Council to provide conceptual direction on the

City Manager’s recommendations for the FY 17/18 Budget (Operating and Capital). This direction will

inform the development of the detailed budget document that will be presented formally and adopted on

June 13.

922 Machin Avenue Novato, CA 94945

415/ 899-8900 FAX 415/ 899-8213

www.novato.org

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City Manager’s Proposed FY 17/18 Budget Recommendations

The City Manager’s proposed budget recommendations emphasize a prudent and targeted approach on

our community’s highest priorities and most pressing challenges. With an improved economy, there is

an increased demand for services and an associated increase in workload. These areas include services

driven by the burgeoning housing and real estate market such as planning, building, and inspection

services. While the Community Development Department is much of the emphasis of these service

needs, workload has increased across all departments; thereby impacting our ability to respond in a

timely fashion and increasing frustration for staff and the community.

Some services, especially those that were significantly reduced during the recession, are degrading over

time as insufficient staff to do the work means an increasing backlog of requests and needs. Staff views

the budget requests as necessary to provide the basic / core city services to ensure safety, preserve our

assets, and exercise fiscal prudence.

Furthermore, the recommendations focus on the areas of City service that residents have told us are most

important to them. In developing the budget, staff focused on addressing the most important service

needs that continue to be expressed by the community. With Measure C in place, Novato is better

positioned to be able to focus on the following critical service areas:

Focus on Public Safety – Augment administrative support staff to allow officers to focus on

field duties, increasing public safety service levels. Increase overtime and training budgets to

reflect historical trends, and in support of the department’s efforts to attract and retain new

officers.

Reinvest in Maintenance – Continue investments in City facilities and improve accessibility,

streets/parks/island deferred maintenance and enhanced custodial/facility maintenance services

through a variety of staffing and programs.

Respond to Increased Permit / Inspection Activity – As part of the FY 16/17 budget, City

Council approved funding for two additional positions (one planner, one building inspector) to

respond to increased permit / inspection activity. With the economic upswing, One-Stop Shop,

building, planning and code enforcement services have all been impacted. The new positions

were added as “rolling 2-year limited term” positions. Demand has continued during this fiscal

year; therefore, staff is recommending that Council extend the positions for an additional year,

through FY 18/19. In this way, a 12-18-month glide-path exists for both the City and the position

incumbent to downsize staffing if needed.

Employee Investment & Organizational Stability – Continue to invest in our employees by providing them with tools, training, and support to ensure a healthy, happy, productive workforce (training, technology, wellness and recognition programs).

o Implement Organizational Efficiencies – continue to realize organizational efficiencies

through creative solutions including the increased use of non-sworn personnel in the daily administrative operations of the Novato Police Department and through organizational restructuring as was proposed by the City Manager on April 18, to allow staff to refine and refocus on City Council priorities.

Long-term Fiscal Health – integrate the Council’s Strategic Plan within the FY 17/18 budget. Staff will continue to identify potential reductions and savings, opportunities to leverage private

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funding and/or resources, and create new efficiencies to have an even greater impact on our Five-Year General Fund Forecast.

Support Youth and Senior Programs – Reallocate part-time hourly funding and recognize increased program revenues to fund an additional .75 FTE gymnastics instructor for preschool and recreation classes. Utilizing regular staffing rather than temporary employees allows for stability within these popular programs. Continue Financial Assistance Program to allow lower income residents to participate in PRCS programs. Commitment to Public Engagement and Outreach – Continue to deliver on the City’s commitment to enhance public engagement and make our public outreach and website information consistent, accessible, understandable and interactive with enhanced staffing and operational funding. New initiatives include a draft Communications and Community Engagement plan and the implementation of an Open Data system by end of the calendar year to continue the City’s proactive communication with, and engagement of, the community. Comprehensive Economic Development & Innovation Program – Develop and implement an Economic Development Strategy that is multi-faceted and builds upon the City’s commitment and investment in attracting Bio Life Science jobs and industry expansion to Novato, with a special emphasis on fostering public-private partnerships, enhancing City business services including permitting and development processes, and business development, and creating a formal business retention and expansion program—to create a strong, diverse local economy.

Changes from the Prior Budget Work Sessions

Following the budget workshops in April, staff took Council feedback--those changes are listed below.

The operating budget changes have a minimal impact on the budget and forecast projections.

Operating Budget

Budgetary changes to the draft General Fund budget incorporated both recommendations from Council

and from the community. Additionally, staff reviewed estimated costs that were included in department

requests and revised those as final data became available. The total impact to the General Fund

expenditure budget is an increase of $17,440.

Expenditure Description Original Request Revised Request

Increase / (Decrease)

Public Works Administrative Manager Payroll $4,560 $2,000 ($2,560)

Streetscape Committee Support $5,000 $5,000

Community Garden Support $20,000

Transition to “Deep Green” with MCE $25,000 $20,000 ($5,000)

Total General Fund Impact $17,440

One change to proposed General Fund revenues is the addition of $63,500 in excess ERAF funds that

the City was notified about after the first budget workshop.

Revenue Description Original Budget Revised Budget

Increase / (Decrease)

Excess ERAF $1,350,000 $1,413,500 $63,500

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Below are the updated General Fund revenue and expenditure tables, based on the information presented

to date and the changes listed above.

Revenue Type FY 16/17 Revised BudgetFY 17/18 Proposed Budget Change

Taxes 29,836,585 30,753,505 916,920

Licenses & Permits 1,127,450 1,149,200 21,750

Intergovernmental * 428,050 394,450 (33,600)

Service Charges 2,828,305 2,924,000 95,695

Fines, Forfeits & Penalties 510,500 525,500 15,000

Use of Money & Property 475,030 540,110 65,080

Miscellaneous Revenue 81,400 52,100 (29,300)

REVENUE TOTAL 35,287,320 36,338,865 1,051,545

Operating Transfers 1,275,526 1,269,935 (5,591)

IF Loan Repayments / Operations 230,000 230,000 -

TOTAL 36,792,846 37,838,800 1,045,954

% Budget Change 2.8%

Proposed FY 17/18 General Fund Revenues

Department FY 16/17 Revised BudgetFY 17/18 Proposed Budget Change

Central Administration 1,841,805 2,307,589 465,784

Administrative Services 3,057,914 3,410,381 352,467

Citywide Programs 2,254,053 2,887,835 633,782

Police * 14,014,384 14,408,557 394,173

Community Development 2,493,180 2,621,623 128,443

Public Works 6,812,333 6,858,497 46,164

Parks, Recreation & Community Services * 3,562,926 3,410,664 (152,262)

EXPENDITURE TOTAL 34,036,595 35,905,146 1,868,551

Operating Transfers 3,346,354 2,733,185 (613,169)

Unspent Appropriations (500,000) (650,000) (150,000)

TOTAL 36,882,949 37,988,331 1,105,382

% Budget Change 3.0%

CIP Operating Transfers for City Hall 483,702 408,700 (75,002)

Proposed FY 17/18 General Fund Expenditures

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Capital Improvement Budget

The draft CIP budget presented to Council on April 18 included projects, both new and ongoing, utilizing

unallocated Measure F funds as one of the potential funding sources. Council expressed concern with

this strategy and requested that staff explore other potential funding options for the projects. The CIP

portion of the May 9 presentation includes alternate funding strategies for those projects.

Measure F Committee Feedback

The Measure F Oversight / Citizens Finance Committee met to review the Operating Budget

recommendations and the funding alternatives for the Capital Improvement Program Budget on May 2.

The Committee was in favor of using Measure F funds for the Hill Recreation Area project and

recommended that the project be completed in one phase. The Committee emphasized that use of

Measure F funds for capital projects should reflect the intent of the original ballot language.

Recreational, Cultural and Community Service Commission Feedback

The Commission met on March 9 and received a presentation on the initial draft Operating and Capital

Improvement budgets. One of the Commission’s requests regarding the CIP budget was that the Hill

Recreation Area renovation project be completed in one phase.

Conclusion

Based on Council’s direction on the proposed Operating and Capital Budgets, staff will move forward

to prepare the draft budget document. The proposed FY 17/18 budget will be available to the public in

late May with a budget hearing and adoption on June 13.

RECOMMENDATION Provide conceptual direction on the City’s Manager’s budget recommendations so that staff can prepare

the budget document for public and Council formal review on June 13. Staff recommends the budgets

as discussed in detail at the Council meetings on April 18 and April 25, with modifications as discussed

above.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Consolidated Operating Budget Recommendations

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2017/18 Consolidated Operating Budget Requests

Account Description Ongoing / One-time Reason General Fund Measure F Clean Stormwater

Community Development

Plan retention (digitizing) Ongoing

CDD has no dedicated expenditure account for plan retention/digitizing but on average collects $18,000/year from

permit fees for document retention/storage. 12,000

Software Maintenance Ongoing Software maintenance for web hosting services related to public access to digitized records 7,500

Sustainability Coordinator Ongoing Implement Climate Change Action Plan 120,000

Public Works

Repairs/Maintenance Ongoing

Requesting additional $8,000 for purchase and installation of storm drain trash collection devices. The Storm Drain

Master Plan and BASMAA PHASE II Trash Reduction Program identified high priority areas requiring enhanced

collection of debris in various locations, which include Leafwood, Nave Drive (from Hamilton Parkway to Bolling),

Grant Ave and various stretches of Olive Ave. The Trash Reduction program will become mandated by the state later

this year. 8,000

Intergovt/County of Marin Ongoing Increase in MCSTOPPP contribution charges 40,000

Intergovt/State of CA Ongoing

The City of Novato is getting billed $22,000 for MS4 Storm Water Permits from the State Water Resources

Department. 5,000

Regular Employees Ongoing

Requesting permanent position for Public Works Administrative Manager, and need to make adjustments to

make it an attractive offer for chosen candidate. The difference between Step 5 Public Works Administrative

Manager and Step 4 Maintenance Superintendent is $1,824 per year, plus benefit costs. (GF cost approximately

$2,000.) 2,000

Repairs / Maintenance Ongoing

The Novato Police Department has been experiencing increased repair costs due to 40 year old air handlers/HVAC

equipment breakdowns. 5,500

Supplies Ongoing

Increase current funding in order to keep up with lighting replacement supplies at 901 Sherman, NPD and 922

Machin Ave. We have not increased our electrical supplies since staff moved into 922 Machin Ave. 1,000

Utilities - Gas & Electric Ongoing Increase current funding resulting from city transitioning to "Deep Green" option with MCE 20,000

Streetscape Committee Support Ongoing The Committee has requested additional funds to support their efforts to beautify islands throughout the City 5,000

Community Garden One-time Relocate and prepare site for Community Garden on the Lieb property on Hill Road. 20,000

Supplies Ongoing

There is currently no funding for Lu Sutton Child Care repairs & maintenance supplies. Safety concerns may arise if

proper supplies are not replenished or cannot be purchased for repairs that are requested on a weekly basis. 1,500

Supplies Ongoing

Increase current funding due to ongoing light replacements at Margaret Todd Senior Center and Hill Gym. Light

replacement inside our facilities will continue to be a top priority due to safety. 500

Repairs / Maintenance Ongoing

There is currently no funding for repairs and maintenance at the Hamilton Community Pool. When the Community

pool is operational Maintenance receives multiple request for repairs that needs to be performed by a licensed

technician. 1,500

Contract Services One-time Allocate funding for dumpster rental to clean out unnecessary storage in city facilities. 10,000

Contract Services One-time Provide additional support to Downtown Streets Team 23,000

Police

Patrol Salary, benefits, retirement-

Upgrade (1) Officer positions to

Corporal Ongoing

Upgrading 1 officer position to corporal takes us to 4 corporals that supplement sergeant supervision of the patrol

teams. This increase creates improved opportunities for officers and a positive impact on retention, succession

planning and enhances recruitment options. With the patrol staff average "time in rank" at 4.02 years, an increase of

supervision is critical. 8,100

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2017/18 Consolidated Operating Budget Requests

Account Description Ongoing / One-time Reason General Fund Measure F Clean Stormwater

Records Salary, benefits, retirement-

(1.5) Records Clerk Ongoing

The additional 1.5 positions will provide efficient responsiveness to internal staff, the public, reduce the backlog of

records paperwork, and will allow sworn employees to focus on higher level public safety duties. A carryover issue

from the Recession resulted in a significant loss of the department's non-sworn support staff causing officers to

perform many clerical duties. This has resulted in a measurable decrease of productive officer time in the field

diminishing our public safety service levels. Previously, the Records Units had six FTE's performing clerical and

support duties, compared to the current staffing level of 2.5. Last fiscal year overtime reached $33,050 and is

anticipated to reach $26,000 this year, in order to maintain office hours and a minimal level of service. An increase in

FTE will allow us to maintain actual OT closer to budgeted amounts. The additional 1.5 positions will increase the

Records Unit to 4 FTE's, a reasonable level based on technology improvements and efficiencies; the unit will be

appropriately staffed for the foreseeable future. 116,500

Patrol Overtime-Overtime increase Ongoing

Increase is requested to bring the overtime budget more closely in-line with actual overtime expenses. Overtime

expenses have exceeded the overtime budget for the past 5 years. Although employee salaries’ annually increase the

overtime budget has remained relatively stagnant. 150,000

Contract Services - Medical-SART

exams Ongoing Mandatory annual increase imposed by the County's provider for assault victim exams. 7,250

Professional Standards Training-

Police Academy - fund 4 officer

trainees annually Ongoing

The $34,000 request will specifically fund all new Officer Trainees selected to attend the police academy. In order to

be a competitive employer, it is important that we offer positions for academy graduates as well as entry level

officers. Without this new funding, the training budget is depleted and restricts the option of funding other state and

federal mandated staff training. 34,000

Professional Standards Training-

Increase In-service Department

training - for mandated training Ongoing

The $30,000 request will increase the existing training budget to fund advanced officer training and training specific

to promotions and new specialty position assignments. To date, personnel movement includes: 15 new employees

hired, 6 promotions, (new Corporals, Sergeants and Lieutenants) and 15 new assignments to specialty positions. The

promotions have caused a ripple effect in our specialty units, such as Investigations, Traffic, Major Crimes Task Force

and COPE. As a result, these new supervisors and officers working in specialized units will need training to advance in

their new positions. 30,000

County of Marin Contract Services Ongoing

This is a mandatory annual increase imposed by the County who provides annual maintenance for: RMS, CAD MDC

systems. 42,750

Parks, Recreation, and Community ServicesStaff training costs Ongoing Annual training costs for Childcare Staff 3,130

Employee Salary/Benefits Ongoing .75 Gymnastics Instructor to handle preschool and recreation classes 62,200

Hourly Employees Ongoing Reduction of hourly employees with new gym instructor (20,000)

(INCREASED REVENUES COVER REMAINING POSITION COSTS) (42,200)

Central Administration

Economic Development Ongoing Additional ED business outreach; continue Life Science support 26,000

Communications Ongoing Website Enhancements, Communications Planning, etc. 30,000

City Attorney Ongoing Increased costs anticipated to continue 75,000

Election Costs One-Time Off-year election costs 180,000

Administrative ServicesOPEB Ongoing Actuarial report indicated need to increase annual contribution 57,000

Animal Services Ongoing Increased costs 45,000

HR Legal Fees Ongoing Increased costs anticipated to continue 41,000

Insurance (Gen Liab) Ongoing Increased costs anticipated to continue 72,000

Impact Fee Study One-Time Update city's impact fees 50,000

Subtotal Ongoing 922,230 45,000

Subtotal One-Time 260,000 23,000

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