Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, & Governmental Processes Committee TO: INCLUSIVENESS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, DATE: OCTOBER 4, 2023 & GOVERNMENTAL PROCESSES COMMITTEE
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: UPDATE ON BUDGET ENGAGEMENT COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP (JULY-SEPTEMBER) ISSUE:
Review of Budget Engagement Commission (BEC) membership to address challenges recently faced by the BEC to meet quorum requirements.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, and Governmental Processes Committee receive an update on membership for the BEC and determine if additional action is required.
BACKGROUND:
The BEC is composed of 18 members who advise the City Council on spending and policy priorities based on the information received through quarterly financial and performance reports, including revenues from the transaction and use tax, to work with City staff to maximize public engagement on municipal budgetary issues and to provide input on performance measures and reporting programs.
Because of the significant role that the BEC serves, a discussion item was requested by Councilmembers to identify possible solutions to address quorum challenges that the BEC has recently experienced.
On July 5, 2023, the Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, and Governmental Processes Committee (ICGC) received a staff presentation with options for consideration to address quorum issues recently experienced by the BEC.
Following discussion, the ICGC voted to continue this item without further action to a date in October to be re-evaluated.
DISCUSSION:
Since the July 5, 2023, ICGC meeting, the BEC has filled several Commissioner vacancies and has not had any cancellations due to lack of a quorum. As of the writing of this report, the currently appointed Commissioners consist of nine resident and seven business members for 16 of 18 seats filled. Below is the attendance record for July – September 2023:
2023 Attendance
July
August
September
Budget Engagement Commission
11 of 12 members present
14 of 14 members present
15 of 16 members present
Staff is seeking Committee input on further action, if necessary. Based on attendance trends, it appears that filling vacancies has made the minimum of 10 members for a quorum more attainable for the BEC.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 5 – High Performing Government and Goal 5.3 – Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Randy Solis, Principal Management Analyst Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
BEC Attendance Update ● Page 2