Message from the City Manager: Budget Crisis Information.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The City continues to face an unprecedented fiscal crisis due largely to the dramatic reductions in revenues over the last two years. In response to the crisis, a number of meetings have been held to inform the public of this situation and to solicit feedback. New: -City of Cotati Fiscal Emergency Presentation March 13, 2010
-City Council Meeting February 10, 2010 Budget Study Session -City Council Meeting February 3, 2010 Budget Study Session -City Council Meeting January 13, 2010 Revenue Measure Presentation -August 26, 2009 Budget Adoption -January 6, 2010 Budget Alternatives Study Session -May 30, 2009 Budget Crisis -June 17, 2009 Budget Study Session -June 3, 2009 Budget Study Session
Since 2007, the City has made drastic cuts to staff and services to address the ongoing shortfall in the Citys General Fund. The General Fund is used to pay for a variety of City services, including police services and park maintenance. It also partially funds other City services including street maintenance, planning and the general administrative functions necessary to run a City.
Overall staffing levels have been reduced by 33% with the elimination or freezing of four police officers, a dispatcher, a maintenance worker, recreation staff, clerical staff and other positions. Significant reductions to park maintenance and janitorial contracts have also been made. The City does not have the ability to absorb further cuts and continue to provide the current level of service. We have met with the Cities of Rohnert Park and Petaluma and the County of Sonoma about contracting for police, dispatch and other city services. The results of this research are in the City Council Meeting February 3, 2010 Budget Study Session presentation. The City annually amends the fiscal year budget in January or February to update the estimates for revenues that will be received and expenditures that win be made by the end of the Fiscal Year (June 30). The Council reviewed the proposed budget amendments at a study session on February 10 and these proposed amendments will be considered for adoption at the regular City Council meeting on February 24. The Proposed Amended Fiscal Year 2009/10 budget currently includes an estimated structural deficit (expenditures exceed revenues) in excess of $370,000. The City's operational expenses continue to draw down the General Fund balance and the fund balance is currently projected to be exhausted next fiscal year. As an alternative to further reductions in the services provided by the City, on January 13, 2010, the City Council authorized the calling of an election to ask Cotati voters to approve a 5-year general transactions and use tax of one half cent. Click here for more election information. We will keep you informed as we continue to work on the Citys fiscal crisis. Please check our website for periodic updates and meetings and please participate in community meetings on this important topic. Dianne Thompson, City Manager
| 
