Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVING THE RESUMPTION OF THE MEASURE C AND MEASURE K CITIZENS BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
In March 2020, the City Council suspended the operation of all non-essential commissions, committees and boards due to the global pandemic outbreak known as COVID-19. The Measure C and Measure K Citizens Budget Oversight Committee (Committee) is responsible for reviewing the Utility Users Tax, Oil Industry Business License Tax and the newly passed ¾ of one percent Transaction Use tax (Measure K). The focus of the Committee’s responsibilities is to oversee and analyze the City’s revenue, but also review expenditures. Each January, the Committee begins to develop input to be presented to the City Council in April/May regarding the upcoming budget preparation and its recommendation on spending revenue and adjusting expenditures. During the suspension of the Committee’s meeting, the Committee was unable to review or analyze the revenue and expenditures; therefore, not providing feedback to the City Council.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. APPROVE the resumption of The Measure C and Measure K Citizens Budget Oversight Committee to regular monthly meetings beginning in the second Tuesday in September 2021. Initially these meetings will be virtual until the City Council directs otherwise.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE any other action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
In March 2020, the City Council suspended the operation of all non-essential commissions and committees due to the global pandemic outbreak known as COVID-19. The Measure C and Measure K Citizens Budget Oversight Committee is responsible for reviewing the Utility Users Tax, Oil Industry Business License Tax and the newly passed ¾ of one percent Transaction Use tax (Measure K). This committee meets monthly and reviews revenue brought in by the three revenue sources, but also reviews current department budgets, revenues and expenditures. Annually in January, the Committee develops recommendations to be presented to the City Council in April/May regarding the upcoming budget preparation and recommendations on spending revenue, as well as adjusting expenditures for the upcoming Fiscal Year budget. All meetings are led by the Director of Finance and assisted by staff and the Revenue Manager. During the suspension of the Committee’s meeting, the Committee was unable to provide valuable feedback regarding its budget analysis. Restarting the Committee in September 2021 will provide sufficient time to review revenue reports and expenditures and to draft recommendations to the City Council for the budget in mid-2022.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding to cover stipends for Committee members’ attendance at meetings has been allocated in the adopted Fiscal Year 2021/22 Finance Department, Revenue Division’s expenditure budget.
VI. EXHIBITS
None.
Prepared by: Cristine Gaiennie, Revenue Manager/ Tarik Rahmani, Finance Director