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Press
Contact: |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAYOR RELEASES REVISED BUDGET PROPOSAL (Click Here For Itemized Funding List)
OverviewFirst, I want to thank city staff, commissioners, and my colleagues for all of the time, energy, and hard work that went into our budget process. I believe we are accomplishing this difficult task in a way that all of Berkeley can be proud. As we near the end of this year’s process, I respectfully put forward this revised budget proposal in an effort to reconcile the various budget requests and suggestions made by Members of the Council and the public. If the Council is amenable, I would like to use this revision as the starting point for our discussion on June 24th. (Click Here For Itemized Funding List) I believe the budget presented in this revised proposal restores funding to a number of important community services, provides a buffer to protect us from state funding cuts, and keeps our books in balance. Revenue AvailableThe Council will make its final decision on new parking fine revenue at the June 24th meeting. In this budget, I am recommending that the Council adopt a fee structure that raises $2.8 million through increase parking fines. A $2.8 million increase would raise an additional $800,000 above the City Manager’s recommendation of $2 million. Table 1 indicates this additional available revenue.
Protect Important Community Services In this proposal, I
have reconciled the various requests made by Council Members and the
community. (See attached
spreadsheet for the specifics.) With large county and state funding cuts expected this year,
it is crucial that Berkeley protects front line programs and services. I add one note of caution
to those organizations receiving additional funding under this proposal.
If the state adopts a budget that cuts city funding, we may need to
revisit these allocations. All
organizations should develop contingency plans in case the Council makes
emergency funding reductions later this fiscal year.
The
City has a vibrant cultural arts community and economy.
In this budget, I recommend restoring approximately $45,600 in arts
program funding. I am also
recommending $10,000 for the Office of Economic Development to produce an
arts newsletter to help publicize our many wonderful cultural events. I
am recommending that we restore $50,000 of the cut made in funding for
community events. For years,
the city has been budgeting costs for community events far below their
actual costs. Last year, we spent double the amount that had been budgeted
for community events. The
City Manager has recommended reducing our expenditures on community events
from last year’s total of $269,542 to $195,000 in fiscal year 2004. The City Manager will return in July with a
recommendation on how to determine specific event funding allocations
given the adopted budget. In addition, I am asking the Council to place the funding earmarked for the Black Repertory Theater into a South Berkeley Arts Reserve until a comprehensive report on their organization can be completed.
In this budget, I am requesting we add $226,404 to our budget for health, family, and community services. This funding will improve detox services, help protect families from domestic violence, help feed seniors, and keep the Ed Roberts Campus facility moving towards permit approval.
With County and State cuts to front line homeless and housing programs, I am requesting that the City Council restore $112,669 to protect these essential services. This funding will help provide food, clothing, and employment services to our homeless population. While I am recommending that we restore funding to the Coalition for Alternatives in Mental Health, I request that the Council direct the City Manager to withhold the second six months of funding pending programmatic and structural reforms.
In
this budget, I am requesting we restore $95,500 in funding to youth and
education programs, including the Berkeley Youth Alternatives, Jubilee,
Berkeley Cougars, and the Flaming Five Drill Team.
In addition, I have set aside $72,000 for the Athletes United for
Peace (or other organization) to fund a midnight basketball program.
If the Council approves this earmark, I would ask Athletes United
and other organizations to submit proposals through the relevant
Commission and staff review. I
am also requesting that $70,000 be set aside for a 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. Commission and Manager
Review For all allocation
adjustments in excess of $2,500, I request that the Council direct the
City Manager and the relevant Commissions to review these allocation
changes and report back to the Council with any concerns or
recommendations. This review
should be completed within 60 days from the budget adoption on June 24th. If the Manager or Commissions recommend changes, they should be brought to the Council at its first meeting in September. In the interim, programs may request partial funding (up to a two month advance) from the City Manager. That interim funding will be provided at his discretion until the review is complete. State Budget Emergency Reserve
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