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Press
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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAYOR BATES RELEASES BUDGET PROPOSAL (Click Here For Itemized Funding List) I greatly appreciate the time,
energy, and thought that everyone – from city staff to the community –
has put into the budget process. To
help us complete our work, I am putting forward this budget proposal.
In it, I have tried to incorporate many of the suggestions and
concerns raised by the Council and the community during our many public
work sessions. Balanced Approach
With $2.7 million in funding cuts
and $2 million in revenue increases, the City Manager’s proposed budget
reflects the Council’s desire for a balanced approach to address our
$4.7 million shortfall. My proposed budget modification maintains this balanced approach, but increases revenue a modest amount more to better protect community services. Through a combination of redirected funding and an approximately $2 increase in parking fines, this proposal restores funding to a number of essential services while keeping the budget in balance. In total, this proposal increases the General Fund by less than ˝ of one percent.
Protect Important Community Services
My proposal restores funding to a
number of important community programs and services.
(Click Here For Itemized Funding
List)
With large county and state funding cuts coming this year, it is
crucial that Berkeley work to protect front line programs and services.
In addition to restoring funding
for a number of important programs, I am requesting that we set aside
$69,500 – approximately 10% of the additional revenue – as
programmatic reserves in the event that the state dips into local funding
to balance its budget.
Youth Services Volunteer Initiative
In response to a recommendation from the Youth and Education Summit, we are developing a centralized conduit for recruiting and matching community volunteers with youth in the community. This position would work hand-in-hand with the Berkeley Schools Volunteers (BSV), coordinating and matching tutors and mentors with students in need of one on one academic, social and emotional support. BSV would continue to coordinate and train volunteers placed via the schools (classrooms and after school). The Berkeley Champions for Kids would focus effort on volunteers who want to work in community-based programs, such as libraries, recreation centers, community-based after school programs, faith-based organizations, neighborhood associations, etc. Priorities for Additional Funding
It is possible that additional
funding may become available to supplement this year’s budget – i.e.
if the Berkeley Library begins to repay its loan; if parking fines net
more income than anticipated; or from other sources. I recommend we use any additional revenue to increase funding for the Housing Trust Fund, infrastructure repairs, and the General Fund reserve. Planning for 2004-05
While this budget proposal helps mitigate some of the pain of this year’s budget shortfall, it does not eliminate next year’s projected deficit. I will continue to examine all options for addressing that deficit – including additional cuts, economic development, and additional revenue generation. # # #
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