Lindsay City Council approves 2018-19 FY budget

The Lindsay City Council approved a resolution Tuesday to adopt the city operating budget prior to the commencement of Fiscal Year 2018-2019, and a five-year Capital Improvement Plan.

City Finance Director Bret Harmon said city council members and staff have worked diligently to prepare a realistic, balanced budget for FY 2018-19.

“There are a lot of great things happening in the community, and we are going to continue to focus on our mission, our vision and values to ensure we are operating within our means and planning for the future,” said Harmon, who also serves as Lindsay’s city clerk.

Harmon said all funds are balanced except refuse. He said city staff will continue to work on alternatives for refuse to bring it positive before the end of the fiscal year, which is June 30, 2019.

As far as the operating budget, Harmon said its purpose is to give the city direction in how to allocate resources, manage staffing levels and to plan and execute capital improvement projects.

Harmon said the total citywide revenues in the operating budget for FY 2018-19 are projected to be $12,900,200. He said the total citywide expenditures and expenses in the operating budget are $12,651,214. He said the difference will go to reserves at the end of the year.

In terms of revenue for

ditures and expenses in the operating budget are $12,651,214. He said the difference will go to reserves at the end of the year.

In terms of revenue for the city's general fund for FY 2018-19, Harmon said it is expected to bring in just over $5.267 million, and noted that expenditures are at $5.2 million. The net change, Harmon said, is expected to be $61,000.

Harmon said the city's general fund goes to things such as public safety, city services, streets, parks, and library services among many other things.

Harmon said the expected revenue for the city's committed funds, which are funds the city has put a restriction on by city resolution or city ordinance, is $1.127 million. He said the anticipated expenditures are set for $1.105 million with $22,000 in net change. Harmon said these funds can be transferred to street capital projects and to parks capital projects.

For restricted funds, which are funds from higher forms of government such as the county and the state, Harmon said the expected revenue is $1.313 million and the anticipated expenditures will be $1.180 million with a $132,000 net change. Harmon said these funds, which come in the form of things like the gas tax, Measure R and Senate Bill (SB) 1, pay for services such as street sweeping, street signs, street striping, vehicle repair, and engineering.

When it comes to street projects, Harmon said the city has an ambitious goal in FY 2018-19.

“The largest here I've heard so far is about a million dollars in street projects,” Harmon said. “We are looking at over $3 million this next year.”

Because the city didn't get to all of the projects it wanted to this fiscal year, Harmon said the funds are rolling over.

“We are really looking to dump a lot into streets this next year, and it is going to be a good thing to see,” Harmon said.