I have worked hard as your council member for the past eight years to give you eight balanced budgets with no tax increases. I will continue to deliver essential services and assure those who serve us a
decent living wage. I will remain prudent with the resources at our disposal and be a careful steward of your taxpayer dollars.
The same
circumstances that affect our own personal finances have similar impacts on city budgets. Fluctuating interest rates, funding reductions at state and federal levels and a slowdown of the national economy all influence our city's ability to secure a reliable revenue stream. Cost increases of contract services, law suits and unscheduled repair or replacement of major infrastructure within the city can create unanticipated expenditures. The City of Imperial Beach, like many cities across our state and nation, is constantly challenged to do more with far less. All factors considered, most important are the actions that have already been taken to meet these challenges.
- Imperial Beach's advocacy through the League of California Cities resulted in the passage of Prop.1A in 2004. We were successful in preventing further raids by the state on our locally raised tax dollars.It also prevents the state from imposing any more "unfunded mandates".
- A City Budget is a living document that is reviewed at open public meetings and open budget workshops on a regular basis by the City Council. Since June of this year alone, we have worked diligently to reduce expenditures by $137,300 and increase revenues by $391,600 for a total of $528,900. Additional savings and revenue enhancement measures may net another $200,000 or more by year end. I am proud to say that all of this will be achieved without any reduction to essential city services.
- Redevelopment of our aging commercial districts and the Seacoast Inn will help establish a strong commercial sales tax base and create an economic engine to pay for necessary city services. New redevelopment projects also bring more property tax dollars into our Redevelopment Agency but it currently cannot be spent on public safety services. The purpose of redevelopment is to eliminate blight and improve community livability. It is crucial that we protect our new investments so we must advocate for necessary legislative changes to allow limited funding to be dedicated to public safety for redevelopment projects.
- Our City had the prudent foresight to establish a Sewer Enterprise Fund, which is restricted and must be used for sewer related projects and associated costs. Since we share in the use of San Diego City's Metropolitan Wastewater System, we must also pay our fair share of any costs that are associated with treating our wastewater.This will include the upgrades at the Point Loma Plant that can run into millions of dollars. We have set aside funds and will be prepared for that cost when it becomes necessary.
- Our partnership with the Port of San Diego must remain strong to bring in the increases necessary to properly maintain Port leased property along our beachfront. The $8M in beachfront improvements over the past 12 years has increased the viability of tourism
along Seacoast Drive. Redevelopment of the Seacoast Inn and other key parcels will allow the City to see a return on their investment.
I have worked hard as your council member for the past eight years to give you eight balanced budgets with no tax increases. I will continue to deliver essential services and assure those who serve us a decent living wage. I will remain prudent with the resources at our disposal and be a careful steward of your taxpayer dollars. I have consistently demanded that we anticipate financial challenges and establish goals to address them rather than simply reacting to the ever-changing financial climate.
But there is always more to do. While all potential new sources of revenue will be explored, I am encouraged by the level of savings we have made and the additional
revenues we have brought in this year alone. We are not broke. We still have money in reserve and I am optimistic we can keep this community viable. My experience will be vital as we focus our efforts on long term economic health and I ask for your support to continue
working on your behalf.
|
