FY 2024-25 Budget Reduction Summary ATTACHMENT
Item Dept Revenue
Increase
Expenditure
Decrease
Dept Rank
(1 being first cut) Details of What Reduction Is Where is it identified as apriority Impacts Multiple Departments
Permits and Recreation Programs to get closer to Full Cost Recovery Multi $161,266 Revenue Total $161,266
Administration
Audit Consulting Services Admin $75,000 1
The City had budgeted $75,000 for continuous
improvement services which was previously
utilized to audit the Community Development
Department to review their operations and
identify where improvements or efficiencies could
be implemented. The funds were to go towards
other department reviews.
Identified by Councilmembers as a
resource to evaluate effectiveness
and efficiencies in departments.
This reduction would eliminate the opportunity to utilize a consultant to audit one of our City Departments.
Reduction in various informational surveys Admin $30,000 2 An updated Community Survey from what was
done last fiscal year $30,000.
C.4.i. Services and programs that
serve a limited number of
participants should be the focus of
reductions, reformation,
elimination, or reorganization, or
should be considered for
implementation by a private vendor
or non-profit organization.
provide information on the quality of services delivered by the City as well as the priorities for services based on resident input. This information helps assess how the public believes we are performing and where funds should be allocated.
Reduction in Contractual Partnerships Gen
Services $7,200 3
Contribution to the Chamber of Commerce for
business and new resident services and City
Birthday.
C.4.i. Services and programs that
serve a limited number of
participants should be the focus of
reductions, reformation,
elimination, or reorganization, or
should be considered for
implementation by a private vendor
or non-profit organization.
This reduction in contribution to the Chamber was used to coordinate City events such as the City Birthday.
Reduction in Contractual Partnerships Admin $5,500 4 Involvement with SGV Economic Partnership 2023-24 Budget Principles C.4.f.-
Additional revenue sources, such
as grants and development related
income, should be sought to
augment City resources after due
consideration of the cost
associated with accepting a grant
or approving development.
The Economic Development through San Gabriel Valley helps the City connect with developers but has not yielded much results.
Reduction in available funds for miscellaneous Council Recognitions CM/Clerk $10,000 5 Reduction in City Council budget for recognitions 2023-24 Budget Principles C.4.i.-
Services and programs that serve
a limited number of participants
should be the focus of reductions,
reformation, elimination, or
reorganization, or should be
considered for implementation by a
private vendor or non-profit
organization.
This would limit the Councils ability to have funds readily available for unbudgeted contributions or recognitions as seen fit by the Council. Rarely used in the past few years.
Reduce use of Legal Consulting Services City
Attorney $50,000 6
Reduction in City Attorney services to review
contracts, provide legal analysis and provide
opinions on legal matters that may effect City
operations. Reducing services to be more in line
with basic contract level services. Pursue less
legal actions against other entities.
C.4.j. Reductions should be
avoided that could exacerbate
liability issues for the City or have
long-term consequences that
would be costly to reverse.
A reduction in Attorney reviews or analysis may result in exposure to loss due to injury caused by a third party or inability to perform based on the scope of services. The Attorney reviews help to assure we are in the best position possible to shift responsibility to the Third party in this event.
Administration Total $177,700
Public Works
1 FY 2024-25 Budget Reduction Summary ATTACHMENT
Waste Compliance Services Public
Works $27,000 1 10% reduction for Waste Compliance Services Council Prioirity: High
Performing Government Community
Survey: Satisfaction with
Trash is 86% in Survey
Reduction of 3rd Party review of Solid Waste RFP. Can limit review of Solid Waste RFP's to top 3 or 4 submittals thereby reducing review costs. Involves more in depth staff review time Alley Design/Construction/Repairs 12.4841.658.000 PW $60,000 2 Remove design of Alley-have one alley designed
and ready for construction but no construction
funding
Council Prioirty: Maintenance of
Infrastructure
One Alley is fully designed but construction funding has been deleted due to budget constraints. Continue to repair potholes as needed. Costs of potholes repair and frequency will go up do to rapid deterioration of alleys as trash trucks pick up in alleys.
San Dimas Canyon Road Dip Crossing Design 12.4841.602.004 PW $15,000 3 Remove design of handrail/guard rail on San
Dimas Canyon Road Dip Crossing
Council Prioirty: Maintenance of
Infrastructure
The existing handrail has been in place for many years (30+). Upgrade of the handrail/guardrail has been difficult due to location at low water crossing. Leave the current railing in place as it has been effective.
Forgo grant for undergrounding project and save on required match Public Works $250,000 4
This is a large project for the City. Will
lose Grant Funding of $2.1 million.
Community Survey-Increase and
Maintain Urban Forest
City has potential to receive $2 million in funding with approximately $250K in match. Removes overhead utilites on west side of San Dimas Ave from 3rd street to north of Gladstone. Allows the City to plant large oak trees on both sides of San Dimas Ave improving the main entrance to the City. Aesthetic benefit. Not a City infrastructure benefit. Can require property owners to pay for their own lateral undergrounding as part of the Utility Undergrounding District.
NPDES General and Professional Services PW $10,000 5
Removal of repairing existing storm drain
catch basin full capture devices and
reduction in equipment rental for clearing
of channels
Council Priority:
Infrastructure and Facilities
and High Performing Government
to respond to and prepare for
emergecies
Existing devices are fairly new and have not needed much repair. Equipment rental is for cleaning channels that drain through the Golf Course and Dip Crossing. If there are heavy rains with high debris flows, then may need to appropriate back some of the funds.
Public Works Total $362,000
Parks and Recreation
Defer Purchase of Tables Parks and
Rec $10,000 1
P&R will defer the regularly-scheduled
replacement of tables at the senior center.
71% of respondents to the Survey
identified adding or improving
maintenance at recreational
facilities as a priority.
This will have minimal impact on programming, as no services are being reduced. Staff will continue to use tablecloths to cover the existing tables.
Suspend Planting New Trees Parks and
Rec $10,000 2
Temporarily suspend the planting of new trees
and expansion of the urban forest.
94% of respondents to the 2023
Community Survey are satisfied
with the current level of
maintenance of parks and
recreation areas. 6% of
respondents to the same survey
identified the beautification of the
City and improving landscaping as
a priority. When asked about
spending priorities, 66% of
respondents ranked increasing or
maintaining the urban forest after
other priorities that include
addressing homelessness,
improving local streets,
redeveloping downtown, improving
facility maintenance, and
expanding multi-use trails.
Previously, the line item for annual tree replacement was funded at a level of $10,000 per year, which allowed staff to replace community trees as needed but was insufficient to expand the community forest. In 2022, the City Council took action to double the line item to $20,000, which enabled the department to plant approximately 70 new trees per year to expand the forest. The proposed reduction of $10,000 will allow the department to remain sufficiently funded to preserve and replace existing trees as needed. New trees would not be planted. The temporary suspension of “new tree” planting is expected to have a low impact, as the department will continue to maintain the community forest consisting of approximately 9,400 trees. Likewise, residents will continue to enjoy the benefits of the city’s robust community forest, which include the provision of shade, decreased wind and noise, and reduced crime. The Landscape Fund (08) is intended to collect sufficient funds to pay for the maintenance of public areas, including the community forest. This year, the Fund (8) will generate $1,041,038 through an annual tax assessment to every household in the city. However, expenditures for Park Maintenance Division are budgeted at $1,706,266, leaving an operating deficit of $655,228 that must be subsidized by the General Fund.
Elimination of Programs offered at the Recreation Center Parks and Rec $70,950 3
The elimination of Student Union drop-in
Programming.
88% of respondents to the 2023
Community Survey are satisfied
with the City's efforts to provide
recreation programming for all
ages.
The Student Union offers free after school programming for youth enrolled in middle and high school from 3:30- 8:30 p.m. that consists of seasonal parties, intramural sports, and volunteer activities. Although 110 youth are enrolled in the program, daily attendance is approximately 10-15 youth. Under this scenario, all Student Union programming would cease in FY 2024-25. Approximately 23% of participants are non-residents and 50% qualify for free and reduced lunches. The BUSD offers after school daycare programs that can accommodate youth, including the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) and the School Age Care Programs at District campuses. As the Student Union is a free program, there would be no loss of revenue if it is discontinued.
Approximately 7 seasonal part-time Recreation Leaders and one regular part-time Recreation Specialist would absorbed into other department operations if the program is discontinued.
Item Dept Revenue
Increase
Expenditure
Decrease
Dept Rank
(1 being first cut) Details of What Reduction Is Where is it identified as apriority Impacts 2 FY 2024-25 Budget Reduction Summary ATTACHMENT
Eliminate City Birthday Event Parks and
Rec $6,500 4 The elimination of the City Birthday Event.
Residents may still attend other events that include the Holiday Extravaganza , 8 concerts in the park, National Night Out, 5k Fun Run, Halloween Spooktacular, Students in Government Day, the City Olympics, Bowser Bash and Easter Egg Hunt. The event is attended by several hundred people and features a live band, game booths, jump houses, and food vendors. In prior years, the Chamber of Commerce organized the event. The City assumed responsibility for the event in 2023.
If this event is eliminated, residents may still attend other events that include 8 concerts in the park, National Night Out, 5k Fun Run, Halloween Spooktacular, Students in Government Day, the City Olympics, Bowser Bash and Easter Egg Hunt.
Elimination of Special Events Parks and
Rec $20,300 5
$2,300 - Eliminate one movie in the park. (1)
$3,900 - Eliminate dive-in movies (2)
$4,800 - Eliminate Bowser Bash
$9,300 - Eliminate Cars and Coffee events (4)
Movie in Park -The department offered one movie in the park at Civic Center Park during the summer concert series. The elimination of the movie is expected to have a low impact, as the department will continue to offer the full summer concert series, farmers market and other special events. The movie in the park was offered free of charge and there is no loss of revenue associated with the discontinuation of this activity.
Dive-In Movie - The elimination of both drive-in movies is expected to have a low impact on the community. The elimination of the movies allows staff to focus more on core aquatic programs, such as swim lessons, recreation swim and lap swim. The provision of dive-in movies is not a core service. The revenue offset from this activity is minimal.
Bowser Bash -The impact of eliminating this event is low. The department will continue to make the dog park available for the enjoyment of dog owners. Additionally, the city will continue to provide dog bags in city parks as a courtesy to residents. Residents may attend other special events offered by the City. The elimination of this event will relieve traffic and congestion in the parking lot and will enable the City to make the soccer field available for rental the entire day (currently, the field is unavailable for rental during the Boswer Bash event).
Cars/Coffee - The Cars and Coffee series of events was initiated by staff in response to residents’ requests for additional special events, as stated in the 2021 study of community recreation preferences. Additionally, the events were supported by the Downtown Business Association as a means of generating foot traffic to the businesses on Bonita Avenue. Four monthly Cars and Coffee events were held in April, May, June, July and August in the parking lot adjacent to the Walker House from 8:00-10:00. Each event typically attracted 100 participants. The impact of eliminating this non-core program is considered low. The department will continue to offer other special events that include the City Birthday , 8 concerts in the park, National Night Out, 5k Fun Run, Halloween Spooktacular, Students in Government Day, the City Olympics, and Easter Egg Hunt. In addition, the community will continue to enjoy the annual car show organized by the Sheriff’s Boosters.
Parks and Recreation Total $117,750
Community Development
Eliminate Planning Commissioner's Academy (Santa Rosa - March 2025) Comm Dev $9,500 1 No Commissioners will attend the 2025
Academy N/A
No Impacts, and would retain parking enforcement at current hours. New Commissioners went in April 2024 along with one current commissioner. 2025 will be up in Nor Cal which will cost extra for travel, hotel and meals. Suggest eliminating this year and in 2026 it should be in So Cal which will only be the cost of the conference (around $700).
Reductions in employee development & Technology Enhancements Comm Dev $3,270 2
Reduce Supply budget by $1,300 and
Publications and Dues budget by $1,200 N/A No Impacts .
Reductions in employee development & Technology Enhancements Comm Dev $10,650 3
Eliminate Staff Development - UCLA Land Use
Conference, ICC EduCode Conference, APA
Local Conference, CALBO Conference, ICC
Conference
N/A Reduction in Staff Development - Assists with ensuring Planners are up to date on land use law Reductions in employee development & Technology Enhancements Comm Dev $5,000 4
Reduce Accela Enhancements from $13,000 to
8,000 N/A Some of the Accela enhancements to improve efficiency will need to be pushed to the next fiscalyear.
Eliminating Vacant Building Intern Position Comm Dev $35,000 5 Reduction in Intern position N/A Impacts efficiency and customer service for building permit issuance and building counter service Community Development Total $63,420
TOTAL OPERATIONAL REDUCTIONS &
ADDITIONAL REVENUE $882,136 51% ofDeficient $843,864 of Reserves Result on GeneralFund Reserve 45% Unassigned General Fund Reserve Balance
108% Assigned & Unassigned General Fund Reserve Balance
ADDITIONAL REDUCTION OPTIONS
Item Dept Revenue
Increase
Expenditure
Decrease
Dept Rank
(1 being first cut) Details of What Reduction Is Where is it identified as apriority Impacts 3 FY 2024-25 Budget Reduction Summary ATTACHMENT
Administration
Eliminate Sales Tax Analysis CM/Clerk $5,000 7
This analysis would determine what percent of
sales tax comes from non-residents vs residents
in order to better inform public.
2023-24 Budget Principles C.4.f.-
Additional revenue sources, such
as grants and development related
income, should be sought to
augment City resources after due
consideration of the cost
associated with accepting a grant
or approving development.
In considering a sales tax measure to generate more revenue, the City will be unable to definitely should the true impact of a sales tax measure on San Dimas taxpayers. Consequently, it may result in taxpayers believing the tax burden is higher than actually projected.
Reduction in Employee Development & Equipment Maintenance Admin Services $6,536 8
This includes the budget for tuition assistance
$5,000 and maintenance of our letter folder and
inserter machine $1,536.
C.4.j. Reductions should be
avoided that could exacerbate
liability issues for the City or have
long-term consequences that
would be costly to reverse.
Lack of training for employees means staff is not up to date on laws effecting our operations as well and compliance reporting..
Eliminate Employee Recognition Programs Admin
Services $2,000 9
This includes reducing the annual Employee
Recognition lunch/event by $2,000.
C.4.i. Services and programs that
serve a limited number of
participants should be the focus of
reductions, reformation,
elimination, or reorganization, or
should be considered for
implementation by a private vendor
or non-profit organization.
This effects employee moral. As part of the Christmas luncheon which the City currently provides funding for the event and meals, the City awards employees that reach service milestones as well as employees who had outstanding performance. This would reduce the amount to fund the event.
Eliminate City Provided Meals for Council Gen
Services $3,000 10 Council meeting, study session or closed sessionCity provided meals.
C.4.i. Services and programs that
serve a limited number of
participants should be the focus of
reductions, reformation,
elimination, or reorganization, or
should be considered for
implementation by a private vendor
or non-profit organization.
Council and executive staff would have long meetings with no meals provided by the City.
Suspending Leave Buy Back Program Gen
Services $30,000 11
The current Personnel Rules and Regulations
Section 6 allows staff to sell accumulated sick
leave at a rate of 50% of the value of the leave
accumulated over 200 hours less whatever sick
leave was used during the look back period as an
incentive for staff to use sick leave prudently.
2023-24 Budget Principles C.4.i.-
Services and programs that serve
a limited number of participants
should be the focus of reductions,
reformation, elimination, or
reorganization, or should be
considered for implementation by a
private vendor or non-profit
organization.
This may effect employee moral as those who have accumulated the sick leave and utilize the payout as a means for Christmas gift purchasing. Additionally staff may be more liberal with sick time usage rather than only when they are truly sick. Lastly sick leave may accumulate which could lead to higher payouts if the employee were to retire with the City at a higher payrate then they would have been paid over the course of their career.
Additional Administration Reduction Total $46,536
Public Works
Downtown Sidewalk Maintenance Cleaning and Pressure Washing PW $20,000 6 Reduce cleaning of downtown sidewalks to once
a month.
Council Priority: Infrastructure and
Facilities
Community Survey: Improve the
maintenance of local streets was a
high priority (44%).
Restaurant areas will be pretty dirty and fall on proprieters to clean. Sidewalk cleaning to be done before or after an event but not both as current.
Yard Special/ Dept Supplies PW $8,174 7
Reduce Sand and Sandbag supplies (over
20,000 last year)
Council Prioirty: High Performing
Government and ability to respond
to unoreseen circumstances
Reduced number of sandbags and amount of sand offered at the City Yard. Residents can buy sandbags and sand from hardware stores. Sand and bags are supposed to be for residents only but likely supplying more regional residents.
Equipment Service and Repairs PW $10,000 8
Reduce equipment services. Delays in getting
fleet vehicles repaired.
Council Priority: High Performing
Government and Infrastructure and
Facilities
Delay or perform in house repairs on vehicles. City has purchased several new vehicles so need for repairs is reducing.
Engineering Intern PT PW $8,000 9
Reduction of hours for PW Engineering Intern to
no more than 16 hours per week.
Council Prioirties: Transparency
and High Performing Government -
responsiveness to Residents and
businesses
Customer services responses to requests would get delayed for copies of plans and some permits. More difficult to get interns as most want more hours over the summer especially.
Item Dept Revenue
Increase
Expenditure
Decrease
Dept Rank
(1 being first cut) Details of What Reduction Is Where is it identified as apriority Impacts 4 FY 2024-25 Budget Reduction Summary ATTACHMENT
Hazardous Waste Disposal/Contract PW $35,000 10 Greatly reduced encampment clean up services.
Council Prioirty: Quality of Life
Community Survey - Address
Homelessness overall priority for
community
Longer response time for clearing of encampments. More staff time to deal with smaller encampments requiring more training for staff and resulting in less time for other infrastructure maintenance.
Yard Maintenance PW $10,000 11 Postpone painting and stucco repair Council Priority: High Performing
Government and Infrastructure and
Facilities
Buildings will continue to degrade at a more rapid rate increasing future repair costs Street Sign Maintenance Program PW $15,000 12
Reduce rate of replacement of street name signs.
Will result in faded signs. Not necessarily a
safety issue.
Council Prioirty: Infrastructure and
Facilities Community Survey
emphasis to Improve Maintenance
of Local Streets and maintain
Infrastructure
Impacts the current efficiency of replacing 2 zones out of 10 throughout the City to only 1 zone per year. Current program yields replacement of each sign every 5 years. Life expectancy is 5 to 7 years. Creates Inefficiency as will have to address some areas by complaints only.
General Professional Services PW $37,000 13
Increase time between pavement striping. May
replace Raised Pavement Markers and not
striping unless critical. No thermoplastic.
Council Priority: Infrastructure and
Facilities Community Survey
Improve maintenance of local
streets was a priority (44%) and
Public Safety.
Traffic striping along roadways won't be as visble and may potentially impact traffic safety Additional Public Works Reduction Total $143,174
Parks and Recreation
Eliminate Components of the Holiday Extravaganza Parks and Rec $28,500 6
$3,500 - Eliminate Snow Area
$12,000 - Eliminate Parade
$13,000 - Eliminate Stage Show
N/A
If all three reductions are made, the event would be re-branded as a ceremonial tree lighting by the City Council and shortened to three hours, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. There would not be a snow area or sled rides, a stage show, parade, or stage or performers. The food vendors would be present, although it is uncertain if the vendors would continue to commit to the event that is shortened to 3 hours. Festive holiday music would be played throughout the duration of the event. The Holiday Extravaganza is the city’s signature event that is typically attended by thousands of residents and non-residents. Curtailing the event will have a high impact on the community.
If this event is curtailed, residents may still attend other events that include the City Birthday , 8 concerts in the park, National Night Out, 5k Fun Run, Halloween Spooktacular, Students in Government Day, the City Olympics, Bowser Bash and Easter Egg Hunt.
Additional Parks and Recreations Reduction Total $28,500 Community Development
Reducing Part-Time Hours for Parking Enforcement Comm Dev $10,000 1 Would result in a reduction of approximately
6 hours per week (day/night). N/A Decrease in amount of tickets issued therefore decrease in revenue. Decrease in overnight anddaytime patrol.
Reduce Planning Intern hours to 20 hours per week Comm Dev $12,120 2 Loss of up to 10 hours of coverage for the
week.
Impacts Community Survey
request to improve city
planning
Would reduce planning efficiency as the planning intern assists with answering zoning questions over the phone and at the planning counter, processes zoning/development applications and provides backup to the front counter staff.
Additional Community Development Reduction Total $22,120
TOTAL ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL
REDUCTIONS $240,330
PROPOSED OPERATIONAL REDUCTIONS $882,136
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL REDUCTIONS $240,330
TOTAL OPTIONAL REDUCTIONS $1,122,466 65% of
Deficient $603,534 of Reserves Result on GeneralFund Reserve 46% Unassigned General Fund Reserve Balance
109% Unassigned & Assigned General Fund Reserve Balance Item Dept Revenue
Increase
Expenditure
Decrease
Dept Rank
(1 being first cut) Details of What Reduction Is Where is it identified as apriority Impacts 5 The following principles shall guide budget development:
C.4.a. A balance between public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and quality of life services is required to ensure a livable community.
C.4.b. A budget must be sustainable into the future, not balanced with one-time fixes, such as transfers of reserves or set asides, and must reasonably reflect expenditures that match available revenues.
C.4.c. Reducing funding for capital projects, or eliminating projects from the Capital Improvement Program, in order to support operating activities sacrifices the community’s longterm interests.
C.4.d. Continuous investment in technology, systems and equipment is needed to improve organizational efficiency, especially when staffing levels are reduced.
C.4.e. Reasonable compensation levels in line with the labor market for similar governmental agencies are desired in order to minimize staff turnover and maintain City productivity; however, compensation levels must stay within a range that the city can sustainably afford while still providing the full range of city services that citizens expect from their city government. Total Compensation will be defined as all pay, benefit, and other elements that provide value to staff (i.e., hourly rate, specialty pays, insurance, time off, in-lieu payments, retirement plans, training, etc.).
C.4.f. Additional revenue sources, such as grants and development related income, should be sought to augment City resources after due consideration of the cost associated with accepting a grant or approving development.
C.4.g. Program cost recovery should be maximized, including reasonable General Fund indirect costs allocated to other funds, to reduce the need for program reductions and to reduce taxpayer subsidies where such subsidy is not in the public interest.
C.4.h. Quality economic development and strengthening the City's economic base through implementation of supportive business strategies should be promoted to expand the City’s revenue base and provide a net resource gain.
C.4.i. Services and programs that serve a limited number of participants should be the focus of reductions, reformation, elimination, or reorganization, or should be considered for implementation by a private vendor or non-profit organization.
C.4.j. Reductions should be avoided that could exacerbate liability issues for the City or have long-term consequences that would be costly to reverse.
C.4.k. The budget must ensure administrative accountability, internal controls, and long-term financial stability.
C.4.l. A balance of long-term liabilities and current operations is necessary to ensure the City avoids the growth in unrecognized or sudden significant liabilities.