Aliso Viejo’s budget is balanced – despite a sluggish economy that continues to impact the nation. The City Council on Wednesday adopted the city’s draft fiscal year 2009/10 plan that goes into effect July 1.
The council’s move follows a May 6 meeting the City Council held to give staff direction, review goals and accomplishments and fine-tune objectives.
The city’s operating budgets lay the financial groundwork for city operations in the coming year. Aliso Viejo’s general fund revenues are forecasted at $13 million while the city’s general fund expenditures are projected to be $12.7 million.
The city’s General Fund revenues are expected to drop by 5.3 percent thanks to a decline in economic activity resulting from weak consumer spending, rising unemployment and a reduction in new construction. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is expected to increase by 16.1 percent.
The city will save roughly $208,533 by defunding a motorcycle deputy position that has been vacant for the past six months and will pay off current overtime. The motor position could be reinstated if there was a public safety need. The city will also reduce council travel and maintain its community grant program, which supports non-profit organizations that provide a benefit to the community.
The city has been extremely proactive in cutting expenditures to reduce impacts on the general fund and saving for a rainy day. The city has worked to ensure that its coffers are fiscally stable and able to support and enhance community services, goals and objectives. The city’s capital improvement program is $3.1 million. Many of the capital improvement projects, which were identified by the city in the past, move forward with construction, and staff has worked to offset expenses by pursuing grant and other funding opportunities.
Since the city incorporated in 2001, it has made major strides in public street improvements; planning commercial growth and new residential neighborhoods; crime prevention; recycling; and more. Prudent fiscal management and the City Council’s direction have allowed the city to provide its citizens with a high level of service while maintaining a sound financial base.
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Kelly Tokarski
KT Community Relations
