HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - May 1, 2012 SSLODI CITY COUNCIL
SHIRTSLEEVE SESSION
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2012
A. Roll Call by City Clerk
An Informal Informational Meeting ("Shirtsleeve" Session) of the Lodi City Council was held
Tuesday, May 1, 2012, commencing at 7:00 a.m.
Present: Council Member Hansen, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Katzakian,
Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, and Mayor Mounce
Absent: None
Also Present: City Manager Bartlam, City Attorney Schwabauer, and City Clerk Johl
B. Topic(s)
B-1 Receive Presentation Regarding Fiscal Year 2012/13 Budget (CM)
Deputy City Manager and Finance Director Jordan Ayers provided a PowerPoint presentation
regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2012/13 budget. Specific topics of discussion included an
overview of the general economic conditions, general fund revenue and fund balance, housing,
employment rates, employee contributions, top ten general fund revenue sources, sales tax,
property tax, PILOT, operating transfers, treated wastewater revenue, fund balance, and reserve
status.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Ayers stated the $24,000 increase in sales tax
revenue is a projection and last year there was a slight increase as well.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Ayers stated the property tax values are determined
as of January 1st of the upcoming year and there is lag between the sale of a home and when
the property tax change is seen regardless of whether it is an increase or decrease.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Ayers stated the business license projected amount
is conservative, business license fees are primarily collected in the first quarter, and the City is
also working with the Franchise Tax Board through a data sharing agreement.
In response to Mayor Mounce, Mr. Ayers stated the City does use the County Assessor's
database as a cross check for the business license tax list.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Ayers stated the revenue stream for the cable
franchise is based on a percentage and when rates and fees go up the City also sees an
increase in its revenue.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Ayers stated the City has the ability to review cable
franchise numbers but does not necessarily have the ability to make changes.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Ayers stated the cable franchise fee applies only to
Comcast and not to ATT/Ll-verse based on wireless abilities.
A brief discussion ensued between Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi and City Attorney Schwabauer
regarding in lieu franchise fees for public- and investor-owned utilities, property tax percentages,
and utility users' tax applicability.
Continued May 1, 2012
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Ayers stated the sales tax is increasing slightly from
year to year based on the previous year's comparison and the numbers shown do include Home
Depot.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Ayers stated the County Assessor is still looking at
commercial and industrial properties purchased from 2004 to the present and the property tax
decrease is occurring across the board for cities and the County.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Mounce, Mr. Ayers stated the PILOT program was adopted in
2007 based on a formula for customer counts, which are currently either flat or declining.
In response to Council Member Hansen, Mr. Ayers stated the 2.5% escalator is on the base rate
and will remain the same no matter how much the new Lodi Energy Center is run.
In response to Council Member Johnson, Mr. Ayers stated he is unaware of an optimal reserve
amount preferred by rating agencies although the Government Finance Officers' Association
generally recommends 15% to 25% of the general fund or revenue stream amounts.
In response to Mayor Mounce, Mr. Ayers stated 8% equates to approximately 45 days for cash
on hand.
In response to Mayor Pro Tempore Nakanishi, City Attorney Schwabauer stated in lieu fees are
not permitted for water and sewer due to Proposition 218, which exempts the electric utility.
Mr. Bartlam stated most water and wastewater functions are carried out by municipalities and
Lodi is in the middle with respect to rates, which are primarily affected by regulatory mandates
averaging approximately ninety cents on the dollar currently.
C. Comments by Public on Non-Aaenda Items
None.
D. Adjournment
No action was taken by the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 a.m.
ATTEST:
Randi Johl
City Clerk
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AGENDA ITEM f3
CITY OF LODI
,. COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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AGENDA TITLE: Receive Presentation Regarding Fiscal Year 2012/13 Budget
MEETING DATE: May 1, 2012
PREPARED BY: Deputy City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive presentation regarding Fiscal Year 2012/13 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Fiscal Year (FY) 2012/13 budget is built on a number of basic
tenets, including new labor agreements with almost all of our
bargaining groups. We have reached agreements will all bargaining
groups except the Police Officers Association and the Dispatchers Association. Discussions are on-
going with both of these groups.
The budget is on schedule to be released for public review in mid-May, with adoption of the document
scheduled for early June.
In advance of publication of the document, staff is planning a series of presentations that will provide
Council and the public with the basic parameters that form the foundation of the budget.
Today's discussion will focus on general economic parameters and general fund revenues.
FISCAL IMPACT: General Fund revenues are expected to be $41,909,940.
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Jordan Ayers
Deputy City Manager
Manager