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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 11/02/2005 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 132, 2005, RELATINGAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL ITEM NUMBER: 13 DATE: November 2, 2005 STAFF: Darin Atteberry SUBJECT First Reading of Ordinance No. 132, 2005, Being the Annual Appropriation Ordinance Relating to the Annual Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2006 and Adopting the Budget for the Fiscal Years Beginning January 1, 2006 and Ending December 31, 2007, and Fixing the Mill Levy for Fiscal Year 2006. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. FINANCIAL IMPACT This Ordinance represents the annual appropriation for fiscal year 2006, and adopts the total City budget for fiscal year 2006 at $476,742,431 and for fiscal year 2007 at $463,935,698. This Ordinance also sets the City mill levy at 9.797 mills, unchanged since 1991, for fiscal year 2006. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Preparation of the 2006-2007 biennial budget has been a tremendous challenge due to: a new approach to budgeting and service planning, an ongoing constraint on revenue growth, and rising costs. By utilizing the Budgeting for Outcomes (“BFO”) approach we are attempting to address the fundamental question: How can citizens get the most value for the taxes and fees they pay? The purpose of utilizing the BFO approach is to: • Identify what’s important to this community and develop a sound financial and service plan to achieve those outcomes; • Allocate dollars based on current priorities and results, not simply increase last year’s spending; • Effectively deal with revenue limitations; and • Emphasize accountability, efficiency, innovation and partnerships. Using this approach, City Council and staff worked in close collaboration to build a financial plan, based on revenue available, that will achieve service outcomes which matter most to our citizens and community. November 2, 2005 -2- Item No. 13 The Net City Budget, which excludes internal transfers between funds is $373,721,871 for 2006 and $373,289,082 for 2007. The following table compares the 2005 budget with the 2006 and 2007 recommended budgets, including the net operating budgets, capital improvement budgets and debt service (in millions and the numbers are rounded): The total City budget for 2006 is $476.7 million and for 2007 is $463.9 million. The Net Operating Budget (the money necessary for operating day-to-day services, excluding transfers between funds, debt service and capital projects) for 2006 totals $308.8 million and for 2007 totals $322.6 million. The Capital Improvement expenditures for 2006 total $39.4 million and for 2007 total $26.4 million. Debt Service will be $25.5 million in 2006 and $24.3 million 2007. The debt service for both years is within the Council’s policy debt target of 15% of the combined general debt service and Special District Funds’ revenue. In Millions (Numbers are Rounded) 2005 2006 % Change 2007 % Change Net Operating 305.6 308.8 1.0% 322.6 4.5% Debt 25.5 25.5 0.0% 24.3 (4.7)% Capital 31.9 39.4 23.5% 26.4 (33.0)% Total City Net 363.0 373.7 2.9% 373.3 (0.1)% Internal Transfers 102.1 103.0 0.9% 90.6 (12.0)% Total City Budget 465.1 476.7 2.5% 463.9 (2.7)% BACKGROUND Council adopted outcomes form the foundation of the budget. This is the City’s first budget using the principles and processes of Budgeting for Outcomes. The seven key outcomes and results upon which the 2006-2007 City Budget is based are: November 2, 2005 -3- Item No. 13 ! Improve Economic Health Fort Collins produces quality jobs, is economically diverse and builds on our core community strengths such as higher education, downtown, natural environment and arts and culture. ! Improve Environmental Health Fort Collins creates a clean and sustainable environment. ! Improve Neighborhood Quality Fort Collins improves the safety, livability, choices, and affordability of neighborhoods. ! Safer Community People in Fort Collins are safer at home, work and play. ! Improve Cultural, Recreational, and Educational Opportunities Fort Collins provides quality cultural, recreational, open space/natural areas and educational opportunities to enrich lives. ! Improve Transportation Fort Collins improves the safety and ease of traveling to, from and throughout the City. ! A High Performing Government Fort Collins is a model for an entrepreneurial, high performing City government. Some key highlights of the City Budget include: Resources 1. The total budget for all City funds for 2006 is $476,742,431 and for 2007 is $463,935,698. That compares to the total budget for all City funds in 2005 at $465,122,888. 2. There are no tax increases in the budget. 3. The tax revenue projections remain conservative – sales and use tax is projected to increase by 4% in 2006 and 4.5% in 2007. 4. The budget assumes several fee adjustments and increases, e.g., a Transportation Development Review Fee to recover 80% of development review; increases in Recreation Fees and in water and wastewater utility rates (user fees); and implementation of a Transportation Maintenance Fee in 2007. The TMF will be presented and deliberated in 2006. November 2, 2005 -4- Item No. 13 5. There are a number of personnel cuts – some from vacant positions and others that require a reduction-in-force. Staffing reductions total 107 positions across all funds which amounts to a reduction of approximately $6.6 million in compensation (salary and benefits) costs. Revamped and Enhanced Services While revenue limitations have resulted in service and staffing reductions, the City will continue to deliver a wide array of quality services and programs and support several new facilities in 2006 and 2007. A sample of these includes: a. Operation, maintenance and debt service of a new Police Services Building b. Operation and maintenance of the new Northside Aztlan Community Center c. Operation and maintenance of the new Spring Canyon Community Park d. One-Stop Shop for Customer Service (Building & Zoning, Neighborhood Resources, Code Compliance) e. Improved Development Review Center services f. Consolidated Code Enforcement and Neighborhood Services g. Increased partnership for the Climate Wise program between Natural Resources and Utilities h. Work on a variety of key community planning projects, such as: • Southeast Subarea Plan (Area of I-25/Hwy 392/Fossil Creek Reservoir) • Northwest Neighborhoods Plan • South College Corridor Plan • North College Urban Renewal Plan • CSU/Downtown Connections Plan i. New emphasis on strategic and long-range planning efforts for redevelopment and sustaining an economically and environmentally vibrant community i. A wastewater system study to minimize the infiltration of ground water k. Poudre Fire Authority services and resources to operate Station #14 and the South Ladder Truck l. Maintenance for the Mason Bike/Pedestrian Trail m. Citizen survey to measure the performance of City government related to the BFO Key Results and Indicators November 2, 2005 -5- Item No. 13 n. A Passport Application Acceptance Center o. Management study to assess organizational effectiveness p. 100% conversion of the City’s diesel fleet to clean burning bio-diesel FINAL BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS In the course of the Council’s budget review and discussions, some changes have been made to the City Manager’s recommended budget. The following changes are reflected in the proposed budget adoption and appropriation ordinance. 1. Dial-a-Ride ($60,000 in 2006 and $80,000 in 2007) – The City will contract with Shamrock Taxi to provide Dial-a-Ride night service in 2006 and 2007. The offer is to provide Dial-a- Ride evening service after 7:00 pm, Monday through Saturday nights, for both non- ambulatory (wheel chair) and ambulatory passengers. The City will lease to Shamrock three vehicles—vans large enough to accommodate wheel chairs—for this evening service. Evening service will be supported with one-time General Fund dollars. 2. Enhanced Camera Radar ($177,000 in 2006 and $185,850 in 2007) – a second mobile camera radar unit (van and civilian operator) will be added to address traffic enforcement issues. The addition of a second camera radar unit will strengthen our ability to enforce local traffic laws and promote safe travel in our community. Proposed funding for this service is from the revenue generated from camera radar fines which are restricted revenues in the General Fund. 3. Traffic Ticket Surcharge ($240,000 in 2006 and $247,200 in 2007) – a $35 surcharge on all one point or higher moving violation tickets is anticipated to generate revenues to fund two additional Police traffic officers. Again, this will strengthen traffic enforcement and community safety. Hiring for the first officer will occur in mid-2006; if revenues follow projections a second officer will be hired in early 2007. The cost of the officers would be supported by the projected revenue from the surcharge on traffic tickets which is approximately $260,000 in 2006 and $262,000 in 2007. 4. Larimer County Humane Society (LCHS) (additional $65,748 in 2006 and $124,920 in 2007) – the City contracts with the Humane Society for all animal control services throughout the City. Larimer County Humane Society ("LCHS") provides trained personnel and specialized equipment to enforce the City’s animal control ordinances, respond to calls, provide shelter and emergency veterinary services, license pets and dispose of dead animals. The LCHS submitted an offer for services in 2006 ($723,224) and 2007 ($795,546). In the course of evaluating offers, it was reduced by staff to $657,476 in 2006 and $670,626 in 2007. Conversations with LCHS indicates that in order to continue animal control services for the City the full offer must be funded. Making up the gap with one-time General Fund dollars is the only viable solution in this biennial budget. Service effectiveness of LCHS will be assessed prior to the 2007 Budget Exception Process and Council will determine whether or not the $124,920 allocation for 2007 will be November 2, 2005 -6- Item No. 13 maintained or adjusted. Planning for 2008 and 2009 will revisit service options and evaluate the City’s animal control service needs in conjunction with the LCHS’s service targets and achievements. 5. Bike Program ($16,000 in 2006 and $16,000 in 2007) – the City will make available office space, telephone, computer and office furniture for bicycle groups to use to educate and promote bicycle use in the community. The resources will be used to support marketing and outreach activities. For 2006 and 2007, the resources to support this program will be one- time resources available from unspent 2005 monies. These resources represent General Fund dollars used to support Transportation Demand Management programming in prior years. 6. Trash Districting Study ($30,545 in 2006) – the offer to update a 1997 study related to creating trash “districts” has been eliminated. These are one-time General Fund dollars that are available to be reprogrammed (used) for another purpose or retained in the General Fund Reserve Designated for Contingencies to be used at another time. 7. Restorative Justice/Enhanced ($17,373 in 2006 and $18,508 in 2007) – a grant supports the basic program activities for 2006 and 2007 which covers a half-time (.50 FTE) Restorative Justice Coordinator. In addition to the grant, an enhancement is included to increase the staff time of the Coordinator by .25 FTE (the Coordinator would go from .50 FTE to .75 FTE) and increases program activities related to the Restorative Justice Youth Conferencing by providing family/group conferencing for youth and young adults and the RESTORE Program for merchants, community and shoplifters. The enhancement is a General Fund cost. The original Drilling Platform included ongoing General Fund monies ($52,118 in 2006 and $55,525 in 2007) for the Restorative Justice basic service; however, this is redundant with the grant that supports the basic service. A portion of the original General Fund ongoing monies will be allocated for the cost of the enhancement – $17,373 in 2006 and $18,508 in 2007. The remaining ongoing monies ($34,745 in 2006 and $37,017 in 2007) are available to be applied to another service need (see Item #8 below). 8. Neighborhood/Homeowners Association Data Base ($15,000 in 2006 and 2007) – this offer is to help people identify with their geographic area (neighborhood) and to be able to use data to deliver many targeted City services to individual neighborhoods. With the exception of the annual $5,000 postage line item, this offer funds roughly .15 FTE (fractions of three Neighborhood and Building Services staff members) for the purpose of researching, contacting and interacting on an ongoing basis with representatives of neighborhoods and homeowners associations ("HOA"). The database is not intended to list and establish contact with just HOA property managers, many of which would see the City's communications needs as an additional burden on their time. Rather, this is about Neighborhood Services staff making direct connections with neighborhood and HOA board members and resident representatives. General Fund ongoing monies ($15,000 per year) will be reprogrammed from the original restorative justice offer and applied to this service. (The original offer for Restorative Justice basic service is covered by grant vs. General Fund resources. These General Fund resources are reprogrammed to be used for the Restorative Justice Enhancement (#7 above) and Neighborhood/HOA data base. November 2, 2005 -7- Item No. 13 9. Street Sweeping/Quarterly ($112,000 in 2006 and $115,940 in 2007) – this adds back sweeping of residential streets on a quarterly basis and provides leaf pick-up in the first and fourth quarters of a year. This is an ongoing expense. Because of the relationship between residential street sweeping and minimizing the negative impact on water quality as well as the amount and types of debris infiltrating the City’s stormwater conveyance and retention system, the cost will be funded from resources within the City stormwater operational budget (Stormwater Utility Fund). Personnel Impacts Our employees deliver the diverse services our community relies on, and are deeply committed to providing quality at an affordable price. The City’s compensation policy sets the pay grade maximum for each job classification at the 70th percentile of defined market pay scales. The 2006-2007 Recommended Budget includes resources for employees’ salaries to increase by a merit adjustment (up to 4%) or a skill ladder adjustment (not to exceed 10% per year including Cost of Living Adjustment ["COLA"]) for employees that qualify (i.e., based on performance and/or skill achievement). Resources are also included to provide an annual COLA—1.9% for 2006 and 2.3% for 2007. The budget also includes compensation (pay and benefits) increases per the collective bargaining agreement for Police personnel that are part of the bargaining unit. Other Budget Issues Several key issues were identified and will be addressed in 2006 in preparation for the 2007 Budget Exception Process. 1. Transportation Maintenance Fee The biennial budget includes a recommendation to enact a Transportation Maintenance Fee ("TMF") in 2007. Over the next few months and prior to the 2007 Budget Exception process (adjustments to the 2007 budget and appropriation ordinance that occur in late 2006), Council and staff will work with the community and carefully examine the TMF as well as other options to address street maintenance and other General Fund operational needs. Without an added revenue source in 2007 additional cuts (approximately $2.6 million) will need to be made to the 2007 budget plan. November 2, 2005 -8- Item No. 13 2. Employee Compensation and Benefits In preparation for 2007 employee pay adjustments, the City Manager will work on refining the City’s performance review system to achieve a greater emphasis on pay for performance. This includes using pay as a performance incentive; refining the “market” for City jobs (e.g., if jobs are more locally benchmarked, use local comparison and if jobs are more regional, use broader or more regional comparisons). Discussion will focus on the underlying principles of how employees’ pay progresses within their pay grades. 3. Police Staffing and Services Ensuring a safe community is a key result and priority in our community. Before we determine the specific, future staffing and resource needs related to Police services, a more specific service plan and set of metrics that are pertinent and directly applicable to our community profile and public safety needs must be developed. As a starting point, Council supported the creation of a Council subcommittee to work closely with the City Manager and staff to develop the service plan and metrics. CONCLUSION The 2006-2007 Recommended Budget is a sound financial plan to deliver the services we believe our citizens value most. The budgeting process has enabled us to focus and apply the resources available to key community outcomes. This has not been without pain as we have had to trim existing services, cut positions and forego planned staffing and service enhancements. However, citizens will still receive excellent value for their tax dollars. I am deeply appreciative of the extraordinary effort of and partnership by Council and staff over the past eight months to prepare the financial plan that will guide service delivery over the next two years. First Reading of the budget ordinances will be considered at Council’s November 2 meeting. Any final amendments agreed to by Council will be included in the second (and final) reading of the budget ordinances on November 15, 2005. By Charter, the budget must be adopted and appropriations for the 2006 fiscal year must be approved by November 30. ORDINANCE NO. 132, 2005 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS BEING THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2006; ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEARS BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2006, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2007; AND FIXING THE MILL LEVY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 WHEREAS, the City Manager has, prior to the first Monday in September, 2005, submitted to the Council a proposed budget for the next ensuing budget term, along with an explanatory and complete financial plan for each fund of the City, pursuant to the provisions of Article V, Section 2, of the City Charter; and WHEREAS, within ten (10) days after the filing of said budget estimate, the Council set September 30 and October 4, 2005, as the dates for the public hearings thereon and caused notice of such public hearings to be given by publication pursuant to Article V, Section 3, of the City Charter; and WHEREAS, the public hearings were held on said dates and all persons were then afforded an opportunity to appear and object to any or all items and estimates in the proposed budget; and WHEREAS, Article V, Section 4, of the City Charter requires that, before the last day of November of each fiscal year, the Council by passage of the annual appropriation ordinance shall adopt the budget for the ensuing term and appropriate such sums of money as the Council deems necessary to defray all expenditures of the City during the ensuing fiscal year; and WHEREAS, Article V, Section 5, of the City Charter provides that the annual appropriation ordinance shall also fix the tax levy upon each dollar of the assessed valuation of all taxable property within the City, such levy representing the amount of taxes for City purposes necessary to provide for payment during the ensuing fiscal year for all properly authorized expenditures to be incurred by the City; and WHEREAS, Article XII, Section 6, of the City Charter permits the City Council to fix, establish, maintain, and provide for the collection of such rates, fees, or charges for water and electricity, and for other utility services furnished by the City as will produce revenues sufficient to pay into the General Fund in lieu of taxes on account of the City-owned utilities such amount as may be established by Council. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. Budget a. That the City Council has reviewed the City Manager's 2006-2007 Recommended Budget, a copy of which is on file with the office of the City Clerk, and has approved certain amendments thereto. b. That the City Manager’s 2006-2007 Recommended Budget, as amended by the Council, is hereby adopted, in accordance with the provisions of Article V, Section 4, of the City Charter and incorporated herein by reference; provided, however, that the comparative figures contained in the adopted budget may be subsequently revised as deemed necessary by the City Manager to reflect actual revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year 2005. c. That the adopted budget, as amended, shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk and identified as "The Budget for the City of Fort Collins for the Fiscal Years Ending December 31, 2006, and December 31, 2007, as Adopted by the City Council on November 15, 2005." Section 2. Appropriations. That there is hereby appropriated out of the revenues of the City of Fort Collins, for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2006, and ending December 31, 2006, the sum of FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-SIX MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY-TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE DOLLARS ($476,742,431) to be raised by taxation and otherwise, which sum is deemed by the City Council to be necessary to defray all expenditures of the City during said budget year, to be divided and appropriated for the following purposes, to wit: GENERAL FUND $97,241,340 ENTERPRISE FUNDS Golf $2,489,469 Light & Power Operating Total ........................................81,293,262 Capital: Service Center Additions 254,000 Substation Improvements 267,000 Underground Conversion Program 2,368,210 Capital Total ...................................... 2,889,210 Total Light & Power .................................................84,182,472 Storm Drainage Operating Total ........................................ 9,233,393 Capital: Basin Master Planning 50,000 Canal Importation Basin 1,200,000 Cooper Slough-Boxelder 500,000 Developer Repays 50,000 Drainage System Replacement 348,000 Dry Creek Basin 1,200,000 Fossil Creek Basin Improvements 2,100,000 Service Center Improvements 52,000 W. Vine Basin Improvement 500,000 Capital Total ....................................... 6,000,000 Total Storm Drainage ................................................15,233,393 Wastewater Operating Total........................................16,857,643 Capital: Collection System Replacement 850,000 Collection System Study 50,000 Harmony Lift Station/CR9 Relief S. 350,000 Locust St./Riverside 925,000 Service Center Improvements 55,000 Sludge Disposal Improvements 225,000 Treatment Plant Improvements 4,100,000 Water Reclamation Replacement Program 835,000 Capital Total ....................................... 7,390,000 Total Wastewater....................................................24,247,643 Water Operating Total ........................................24,735,956 Capital: Distribution System Replacement 715,000 Halligan Reservoir Expansion 5,130,000 Michigan Ditch Improvements 150,000 Service Center Improvements 139,000 Southwest System Improvements 800,000 Treatment Facility Improvements 180,000 Water Production Replacement Program 449,000 Water Supply Development 100,000 Capital Total ....................................... 7,663,000 Total Water ...................................................... 32,398,956 TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS $ 158,551,933 INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS Benefits $23,193,190 Communications 1,529,491 Equipment 6,846,863 Self Insurance 3,143,487 Utility Customer Service & Administration 11,600,177 TOTAL INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS $ 46,313,208 SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS Capital Improvement Expansion Fund $11,358,780 Capital Leasing Corporation Fund 4,721,041 Cemeteries 624,796 Cultural Services & Facilities 3,892,978 Debt Service 2,791,956 General Employees' Retirement 2,325,350 Natural Areas Fund 9,212,962 Perpetual Care 70,594 Recreation 7,777,665 Sales and Use Tax 73,579,211 Street Oversizing 4,616,069 Transit Services 9,230,594 Transportation Services 27,891,460 TOTAL SPECIAL REVENUE & DEBT SERVICE FUNDS $158,093,456 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS General City Capital City Bridge Program $ 300,000 Harmony Shields Intersection 1,758,886 Spring Canyon Community Park 11,402,169 TOTAL GENERAL CITY CAPITAL $13,461,055 1/4 Cent BCC - Community Enhancements Administration $ 26,833 TOTAL 1/4 CENT COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENTS $ 26,833 1/4 Cent BCC -Natural Areas and Parks Administration $ 435 TOTAL 1/4 CENT NATURAL AREAS AND PARKS $ 435 1/4 Cent BCC -Streets and Transportation Administration $ 12,146 Mason Street Transportation Corridor 250,000 Transfer to Transportation Fund 400,000 TOTAL 1/4 CENT STREET AND TRANSPORTATION $ 662,146 Conservation Trust Fund Administration $ 270,883 Fossil Creek Trail 100,000 Open Space Acquisition 10,000 Trail Acquisition, Development & Repair 415,500 Transfer to General Fund-Parks Maintenance 379,195 Tri-City Trails 30,000 TOTAL CONSERVATION TRUST FUND $1,205,578 Neighborhood Parkland Fund Administration $ 346,447 Avery Park Improvements 50,000 Golden Meadows Park 75,000 Huidekoper Park 75,000 Lee Martinez Park Addition 75,000 New Park Site Acquisition 200,000 New Park Site Development 100,000 Old Fort Collins Heritage Park 50,000 Park Site Equipment 15,000 Provincetowne Park 100,000 Romeo Park (was Dry Creek Park) 50,000 Stewart Case Park 50,000 TOTAL NEIGHBORHOOD PARKLAND FUND $1,186,447 TOTAL CITY FUNDS $476,742,431 Section 3. Mill Levy a. That the 2006 mill levy rate for the taxation upon each dollar of the assessed valuation of all the taxable property within the City of Fort Collins as of December 31, 2005, shall be 9.797 mills, which levy represents the amount of taxes for City purposes necessary to provide for payment during the aforementioned budget year of all properly authorized expenditures to be incurred by the City. b. That the City Clerk shall certify this levy of 9.797 mills to the County Assessor and the Board of Commissioners of Larimer County, Colorado, in accordance with the applicable provisions of law, as required by Article V, Section 5, of the Charter of the City of Fort Collins. Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 2nd day of November, A.D. 2005, and to be presented for final passage on the 15th day of November, A.D. 2005. ______________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading this 15th day of November, A.D. 2005. ______________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ City Clerk