On Tuesday, the San Ramon City Council will discuss balancing its budget but as it estimates a $14.1 million shortfall. Meaning cuts will need to be made.
If the city council agrees with staff recommendations, it would impact the police, parks, and public works departments while maintaining a reserve policy of 36%.
According to the staff report, it says that San Ramon structural deficit is not a “new phenomenon”, however, the cost to provide expected goods and services has outpaced its resources over the past 5 years. The deficits range from a low of $5.9 million in FY 2021/22, a COVID year in which the federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds of $4.05M helped tremendously, to the $14.1 million deficit projected for next fiscal year.
Tier 1 Cuts: $1.4 million
- Police Lieutenant – Operations Division
- Program Manager – Records/Evidence Division
- Office Specialist – Administration
- Police Services Technician – Patrol Division
- Deferred vehicle replacements
- Office Technician – Records Division
- Overtime reduction
- Training and employee development reductions
- Polis Solutions – program eliminated
- Officer Start-Up Cost reductions
- Technology research and development
- Drone supplies and replacement
- Scene lighting – purchase eliminated
- SWAT Budget Reduction
Cuts made at the Tier 2 level will have significant impacts on departmental operations, including employee workload, retention, training, morale, leadership development, succession planning, and local agency partnerships. In addition, these cuts will affect criminal investigations, traffic safety, community engagement, external communications, and equipment readiness. The cuts will be felt and seen throughout multiple facets of the San Ramon Community.
Tier 2 Reductions: $2 million
- Police Sergeant – Traffic Division
- Police Officer – Community Resource and Crime Prevention Division
- Police Officer – Investigations Division
- Police Officer – Traffic Division
- Police Officer – School Resources
- Police Officer – Community Resource and Crime Prevention Division
- Deferred vehicle replacement
- Canine Program
- Firearm replacements
- Explorer Program/Youth Academy
- Community Academy
- Employee awards and recognition
Parks and Community Services
This division would see a nearly $1 million cut for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 proposed cuts along with revenue enhancement services.
The Parks and Community Services Department creates community through people, parks, partnerships, and programs. The Department oversees the operation and rental of the City’s four Community Centers, two gymnasiums, two theaters, two Aquatic complexes, Forest Home Farm and all the Sports Fields and group picnic areas. The department provides classes, activities, drop-in programs and events for toddlers, youth, teens, adults and seniors and partners with the Contra Costa County to provide senior meals and Library services.
Feedback on other cuts:
- Cancellation of the July 7th Summer Concert $4,171
- Cancellation of the Dive in Movie Program $2,990
- Reduction in Dougherty Valley Aquatic Center Rec and Lap Swim Hours $13,474
- Reduction in Camp Central Extended Care Hours $1,549
Fiscal Analysis
Total budget reductions exceed the $8.1 million target. Approximately $0.5 million is available to restore to departmental budgets if the City Council so chooses. Any increases beyond the $0.5 million would need to come from either General Fund Reserves, which would drop the reserve level to less than 36%, or from some other source, such as the $1.5 million contribution to the Infrastructure Maintenance Fund.
If You Go
San Ramon City Council Meeting (Special Meeting)
April 23, 2024 at 3:30 pm
7000 Bollinger Canyon Road
Agenda – click here
Similar but related stories:
- April 22 – Contra Costa County Set to Look at $5.97 Billion 2024-25 Budget
- March 11 – Lafayette Looks to Sales Tax Increase to Fix Budget Deficit
1 comment
Better than the usual wording I hear. Usually its called a ‘tax shortfall’ or something to that accord. The problem with that sort of wording implies that government spending ISN’T the problem. At least wording it as budget cuts acknowledges that spending must be reduced in order to balance the budget.