 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 TEL: (510) 981-7100, FAX: (510) 981-7199, TDD: (510) 981-6903 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Email: mayor@ci.berkeley.ca.us |
 |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Press
Contact: |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune
28, 2006 Berkeley
Passes Balanced Budget – Fully Funds Telegraph Revitalization Program
and Restores Fire Station Staffing
For the first
time in four years, the City’s budget was balanced without cuts. City
Council unanimously adopts a budget for the next fiscal year. Berkeley, CA – After cutting
more than $20 million from the budget over the past four years, the City
Council last night passed a balanced budget without any further reductions
in city services or personnel. In
addition, the City Council passed a package of revisions proposed by Mayor
Bates that will fully fund the Telegraph Avenue revitalization effort and
restore full staffing to all fire stations through the high fire season. “We have been through some
extraordinarily difficult years as the City worked its way through the
budget crisis. We are certainly not out of the woods, but we are able to
address some of our most pressing problems,” said Mayor Tom Bates.
“I am particularly pleased that the Council agreed to fully fund
our Telegraph Avenue revitalization package.
The City will now move immediately to increase the police presence,
improve mental health outreach, expand our street and sidewalk cleaning
program, and launch a façade improvement grant initiative in partnership
with the University and the local business owners.” The Telegraph Avenue project will
be funded by a 25-cent increase in parking meter rates, to take effect by
January first. In addition,
the Council voted to use one-time property transfer tax and reserve
revenue to eliminate the rotating outages at fire stations through the
high fire season, accelerate street and stormwater system repairs and
provide additional resources to the Office of Emergency Services. The City’s fiscal year begins on
July first. The City’s
overall budget for the 2007 fiscal year is $292 million and it’s general
fund (discretionary) budget is $133 million.
The City Council will review revenue and expenditures after six
months to determine if further adjustments are needed. # # # |
|
Please
note: If you are unable to access information on this website, please
contact the Mayor's Office. City of Berkeley Home / Departments / Mayor Home
|
||
