City Council Moves Closer to Adoption of 2011-12 Budget

In a straw vote Tuesday tonight, Mountain View  agreed with the proposed budget 2011-12 presented by city staff that, if adopted, would leave the city with a balance of $20,000.

"This $20,000 is negligible on a $90 million-odd budget," said Acting City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diles during the council's regular session. "We expect a structurally balanced budget but do realize that that's a small margin."

More potential savings on expenditures may come from the negotiations between the city and two employee groups—the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Eagles. The city has already negotiated concessions of $500,000 but would like another half a million.

"We should be able to," said Councilwoman Laura Madison. "We feel very positive."

Some good news:

• City staff stated that in fiscal year 2010-11, the city under-spent $4.1 million and actually has $1.4 million left in the operating budget, which will carry over into the 2011-12 budget.

• For the performing arts community, the council decided not to require that Peninsula Youth Theatre and TheatreWorks pay $2-$3 fees for complimentary tickets.

• City water rates will by raised only by 20 percent instead of 23 percent, because the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission decided to increase its wholesale water rate by 38.4 percent instead of 47.4 percent.

Some not so good news:

• Lack of guidance from the state budget means city staff feels it's appropriate to tap into the city's contingency reserve and use $1.45 million, out of the reserves balance as of June 30 of $5.56 million, to help Shoreline Golf Links transition to a new model, to transition the Downtown Revitalization District if forced to close, have funds if the state takes away funding and help employees whose positions are eliminated.

• The city could eliminate five positions, which constitute a total of four full-time positions: a deputy zoning administrator, a community services officer, a deputy fire marshall, a public education specialist and a performing arts assistant.

The City Council plans to adopt a city budget on Tuesday.

Other actions at last Tuesday's meeting included the authorization to accept bids and award the contract for management to the lowest responsible bidder for the coots, geese and burrowing owls as part of the Shoreline Wildlife Management Project. Acceptance and transfer of a $20,000 contribution from to help the burrowing owls at Shoreline was also approved.

The 2011-12 Capital Improvement Program was also adopted, which, in addition to funding a feasibility study for a water recycling project, will also bring a new fitness center to another city park—possibly —and would improve the skate park at . There would be no fiscal impact, because the city had already budgeted for these projects.