pages: CityCouncil/2015-01-21.pdf, 14
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CityCouncil | 2015-01-21 | 14 | looks very opaque when put into a 200 page budget document and supporting reports, which is the issue Vice Mayor Matarrese is raising; one time revenues, reserves and advanced loans need to be clear when the City interacts with the public; these three specific items fall under the general notion of best practices; the City might want to have best practices when it comes to financial items and these three items rise to the top; the City Council should probably have a conversation to understand best practices when it comes to one time revenues because the City might not want to make permanent plans around one time revenues; one time revenues bump up from different sources from one year to the next, such as property being sold and the City receiving a lot of transfer tax revenue or the State making a decision regarding sales tax given to another city; these kinds of onetime revenue hits occur in different ways; deciding how to handle the funds is where the best practices notion comes into place; having principles and hard and fast policies is fine; based upon experience with different City Managers, he trusts leeway can be given as long as best practices are clear; having a onetime revenue jump is good news because the City can stash away funds and start the Other Post- Employment Benefits (OPEB) trust fund; the City Manager has made alterations to bargaining agreements to have Police and Fire pay more towards retirement; he would not handcuff the City Manager into how to do the budget, rather Council should give leeway so the City Manager is clear about best practices; when going through the budget sessions, Council can ask to what extent the City Manager has followed the best practices; differences can be spelled out if Council does not agree with the City Manager. Councilmember Oddie stated that his thoughts are very similar to Councilmember Daysog; he was a little concerned about Council setting a policy without understanding the consequence; by setting a policy to not include certain revenues, Council might be setting a policy that could have potential service cuts; the Council might not want to do so at this point; best practices need to be followed; however, the proper time to address the matter is closer to the budget. Vice Mayor Matarrese stated that he used the word "principle" rather than "policy" on purpose; the referral is not so well written because according to the Charter, budget preparation belongs to the City Manager; his intention is not to direct the steps; the principles are talking points; he would like a motion passed which says: things are clearly defined, such as the definition of onetime revenue; going through the budget process, definitions should be understood and highlighted; advances, loans and other transfers have a habit of drifting off the radar, which is why the items should also be highlighted; the last point ties back to the midyear report projecting the General Fund reserves reaching zero in fiscal year 2018; Council has to keep its eye on the ball; the public needs to be reminded; if said matters are pointed out during budget discussion and said direction is given to the City Manager, then he will be satisfied that the intent of the referral would be accomplished. The Assistant City Manager responded staff is fine with said direction. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated Vice Mayor Matarrese referred to something said Special Meeting Alameda City Council 14 January 21, 2015 | CityCouncil/2015-01-21.pdf |