In April I transmitted to the City Council the proposed FY 2015-16 and 2016-17 Biennial Operating and Capital Budget.   The proposed total budget, for all funds are $22,212,100 in FY 2016 and $10,705,400 in FY 2017.  In addition to the appropriations for the General Fund, the proposed budget now includes all Enterprise, Special Revenue, Debt Service, and Trust Funds.  In recent years, expenditures and revenues from many of these funds have not been formally reviewed or approved as part of the City's budget review process but are now included ensuring better long-term financial planning, improved transparency and greater understanding of city fiscal matters. 

This is the City's first Biennual Operating and Capital Budget which will allow the City to better plan and manage its financial resources.  The City's primary operating fund is the General Fund which has benefited from conservative fiscal controls adopted in 2012 and implementing staffing reductions in FY 2015.  As shown in the proposed FY 2015 proposed amendments, revenue received for Sales and Use Tax and Triple-Flip Sales Tax exceeded the adopted budget by $260,000.  For FY 2015, the General Fund Balance improved by $311,000 from $2,990,000 to 3,302,000.  Given this information, the budgetary reductions, staff cuts and reduced personnel service expenses made in FY 2015 improved the City's financial condition for FY 2016 and 2017. 

The proposed FY 2015-2016 budget includes a two percent salary increase for City employees and a three percent increase in 2017. However, while this is the first budgeted increase in employee compensation in three years, it is still substantially inadequate compared to wages received by other public sector employees in the Monterey-San Jose labor market.   As the City begins to prepare for collective bargaining in the next month, I anticipate wage proposals which may exceed the available revenue projected in the proposed budget. 

As discussed this past year, the City does not have a diversified revenue base and has historically not been very assertive to ensure projected revenue kept pace with projected expenditures.  Based on the City's current revenue sources, it is not sustainable to provide quality services to the community by relying exclusively on the collection of sales tax and the receipt of property tax.  As the City Council and Finance Advisory Committee review this two year proposed spending plan, it is imperative that Greenfield consider adopting one or more of the four major revenues identified in the City's Revenue Option Study (See it here).

During the City Strategic Planning Session, the City Council expressed support for adding two additional police officers in the FY 2016 budget.  As shown in the Measure X Fund, the proposed FY 2016 budget includes one additional police officer in addition to the two new officers added in FY 2015. 

 The proposed FY 2016-2017 Budget allocates $150,000 for the installation of a softball field and basketball court lights, $150,000 for restroom upgrades at Patriot Park and $75,000 for the expansion of the basketball courts and $1.2 million dollars for personnel services and maintaining City streets.Other new programs proposed include $300,000 for the construction of a North and South Entrance Sign on El Camino Real (the City's primary downtown commercial corridor) and minor improvements to the North and South Welcome signage on U.S. Highway 101; $1,000,000 for construction and streetscaping improvements along El Camino Real and $200,000 for finishing the shell space in the Police Department formerly planned to house a jail and holding facility.In FY 2017, $300,000 is included for additional streetscape projects along El Camino Real that have not yet been identified.  

As demonstrated by this proposed spending plan, the City is poised and ready to reinvest in its future.  We have come far in a very short period of time.  To obtain additional information about the budget, go to the City's web site or (click here). The City Council's next review session will be this coming Tuesday May 5th at City Hall at 6:00 PM.  I encourage everyone to come and listen to the conversation and share your prospective with the Mayor and City Council.

Sincerely,

Susan A. Stanton, ICMA-CM

City Manager

PUBLIC NOTICE

Water Consumption Surcharge & Mandatory Water Restriction Measure

Pursuant to Governor Brown's Executive Order directing that urban water suppliers develop a water consumption rate structure that maximizes water conservation, the City has adopted the following water consumption surcharge on water customer's monthly utility bills effective with the May utility billings (i.e., the utility bill issued at the end of the month of May).  For the May and June billings (for water used during the months of April and May), the variable water rate surcharge for customers within the city limits will be as follows^1.
 

  THIS SURCHARGE IS IN ADDITION TO THE CUSTOMER'S MONTHLY BILL
 

Beginning with the July billing (which is for water used during the month of June), and for each month after that time, the variable water rate surcharge will be as follow¹:

THIS SURCHARGE WILL ALSO BE IN ADDITION TO THE CUSTOMER'S REGULAR MONTHLY WATER BILL 

¹ Out of City customers, please contact the City of Greenfield at 674-2635 for the surcharge rates. 

REVISED

MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES 

The City of Greenfield will be aggressively enforcing the following mandatory water conservation measures. 

1. Landscape Irrigation: No runoff is permitted onto adjacent property, walkways, roadways, storm drains, ditches, parking lots, or structures.
2.  Landscape Watering Times:  Landscape watering is allowed no more than two days per week before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m.  The allowed days for even number addresses is Monday and Thursday; and for odd number addresses, Tuesday and Friday.
3.  Rain Events:  Landscape watering during and up to 48 hours after any measurable rainfall is prohibited.
4. Public Street Medians:  Irrigation of ornamental turf on public street medians is not allowed.
5. New Construction:  For all new construction, only drip or microspray irrigation systems are allowed for outdoor landscaping.
6. Vehicle and Equipment Washing:  Non-commercial washing of vehicles is allowed on any day of the week, but no more than one time per week.
7. Hose Nozzles:  All hoses must be equipped with a shut-off nozzle.
8. Washing Down Hard or Paved Surfaces:  Washing sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, patios, or other paved surfaces is prohibited.
9. Washing of Exteriors:  Washing the exterior of dwellings, buildings or structures is prohibited.
10.  Swimming Pools and Spas:  Filling new swimming pools is absolutely prohibited; Draining and refilling existing swimming pools is permitted only for repair or maintenance; When not in use, swimming pools and spas must be covered.
11. Fountains and Decorative Water Features:  Water can be used only if part of a recirculating system.
12. Plumbing Leaks:  Plumbing leaks must be repaired within 24 hours.
13. Commercial Lodging Establishments: Every motel and overnight lodging establishment must offer lodgers the option to forego daily laundering of towels, sheets, and linens; Notice of this option must be displayed in each bathroom.
14. Eating or Drinking Establishments:  Drinking water is not to be served unless requested by the customer.