pages: CityCouncil/2009-01-06.pdf, 9
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CityCouncil | 2009-01-06 | 9 | departments or the cash reserves ; cash reserves should not be used because there are too many unknowns and using reserves would go against financial policies; the funding deficit will not go away until the City has more discretionary resources in the General Fund. Mayor Johnson stated the current situation could continue for 36 months and how bad it could get is not known; that she does not believe that the City is okay for this year; questioned why staff says the City will be okay for this year just because a budget has been adopted. The Interim Finance Director responded staff is saying the City will survive this year with what Council appropriated as long as the plan is followed and everyone is diligent about staying under budget; drastic cuts were already made. The City Manager stated Mayor Johnson is pointing out that the issue is on going. Mayor Johnson stated perhaps more money should be saved this year so that cuts next year would not need to be as big. The Interim Finance Director stated that she does not see a way to save any more in the current budget; the budget is a very tight. Mayor Johnson questioned why expenditures are not being dealt with more; stated revenues and expenditures do not really balance because the City is choosing not to pay some obligations, like OPEB and the workers compensation reserve. The Interim Finance Director stated said items would be dealt with in Fiscal Year 2009-10; the last budget cycle was difficult and involved lay offs; staff is trying to survive this year and come up with a more comprehensive plan for next year; direction could be given to start making some changes now. Vice Mayor deHaan stated there is no choice but to start addressing the issues now; finding out the budget is $4 million short does not happen overnight, which has been done continually; the focus should be on making it through the next three to four years, rather than making it through this year; there is nothing on the horizon. Councilmember Matarrese inquired whether one person was laid off in the last budget cycle, to which the City Manager responded there were a couple. Councilmember Matarrese stated the City has not really gone through Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 9 January 6, 2009 | CityCouncil/2009-01-06.pdf |