City Services that would be existentially threatened by the sunset of Measure A Select Impacts of 17% General Fund Reduction on Key Departments Department
Citizen Impact
Police*
Elimination of 155 sworn police positions. Authorized strength would be reduced to 330 from 485, permanently impacting our ability to restore services to the community and our gun violence reduction strategy. Additionally, there would be staffing cuts in Neighborhood Services, eliminating the Neighborhood Betterment Team funded by Measure A. Many support positions would be eliminated, further impacting department operations. Maintaining public safety positions is critical to our community's safety.
Office of Violence Prevention*
The Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) faces total closure. The department's staff, once 16 strong, would be slashed in half, reverting to pre-Marshall Plan era staffing levels. This extreme budget cut would incapacitate the Office of Violence Prevention, severely impairing their ability to combat gun and gang violence effectively in the community. The consequences would be dire: a breakdown in conflict mediation could fuel a surge in gang violence. The OVP's shooting emergency response program, a crucial peacekeeping initiative, would be eliminated, heightening the risk of retaliation without intervention. Emergency relocation services, essential for protecting victims and families, would be severely diminished, leaving them exposed to further harm. Additionally, the reduction in OVP's intensive case management would deprive high-risk clients of vital support, potentially forcing them back into a cycle of gang and gun violence in a desperate pursuit of necessities. This devastating scenario would significantly exacerbate gang and gun violence, posing an overwhelming threat to the citizens of Stockton.
This significant budget cut threatens to plunge the City of Stockton back to the alarming homicide levels of 2012, reminiscent of the pre-Marshall Plan era when the city experienced its highest recorded number of homicides—72.
Fire Department
Total reduction in sworn fire personnel of approximately 30% to meet the 17% budget reduction target. Immediate response areas affected by the closures of three (3) engine companies and one (1) additional truck company will nearly double response times; and the effective response force on-scene time will almost triple the national standard identified in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710. Elimination of three engine companies will also result in the closure of three (3) fire stations as there will be insufficient number of personnel on duty each day to keep all fire stations open. Only 10 out of 13 fire stations will remain open.
There will be limited resources for firefighting, medical, and all other services provided to citizens and businesses throughout the City; which will have a substantial impact on the Fire Department's ability to respond to emergencies.
Reduction of relief crew will impact daily staffing levels as less staff will be available to fill in for absences due to illness, injuries, required training, or vacation.
Loss of three engine companies and one truck company identified above will bring the total number of sworn personnel below the required SAFER grant minimum staffing maintenance requirement, resulting in to the potential loss of grant funds and the reduction of an additional 16 grant-funded firefighters.
Public Works
General Fund park sites (some City parks are funded through property owner assessments) will no longer be watered or maintained, with the exception being fire hazard mitigation (weed abatement) only. An example of this type of maintenance is the former Van Buskirk Golf Course site.
Contracted services for illegal dumping and homeless encampment cleanups will be reduced to about 50% leaving a large amount of garbage and debris across the City.
Community Services
Reduction of security guard presence in Community Centers, fields, and aquatics, resulting in a loss of patron confidence in visiting centers, and participation in sports programs. Shootings have occurred at four facilities this year. Increased levels of vandalism and break-ins to facilities, and unruly behavior will be more difficult to stop and prevent. Additional funds were requested for FY 2023-24 for security services because of patron feedback; seniors and others report feeling unsafe without guards.
Stockton Arts Commission annual grants would have to be scaled back, resulting in reduced support of local artists and mural beautification projects.
Reduce field maintenance (Stockton Soccer Complex, Misty Holt-Singh, Louis Park), resulting in increased weeds and general health of playfields negatively impacting sports activities and creating safety hazards and poor aesthetic appearance. Loss of revenue from field rentals and tournaments.
Eliminate library and community center staff, resulting in a reduction of open hours, including evening and weekend hours. This would further reduce programming available to patrons, access to resources, literacy programming, community-specific programs, and youth/adult activities.
Reduce Library Materials, Resulting in City patrons waiting for digital books exasperating the already long wait times for materials as demand for digital items is increasing; fewer copies of newly released physical materials; patrons will need to wait longer.
Eliminate support staff, resulting in an inability to support picnic rentals; slow response times to customer inquiries; delayed invoice processing and payment; extended timeline to fill vacant positions; reduced support of Stockton Arts and Parks and Recreation commissions; slower updates to websites.
Economic Development
Eliminate a position responsible for tracking and fostering business attraction leads, which has greatly improved Stockton’s ability to attract new businesses and assist current businesses with expansion efforts, as well as to recruit developers that best fit with the goals of the Economic Development Strategic Plan.
Shut down the Oak Park Ice Rink. The Oak Park Ice Rink is the only Ice Rink in this region and used by several organizations in the area, including St. Mary's high school. Total to operate is approximately $1.1 million per year, and currently generates approximately $500,000 of operating revenues which helps to offset yearly operating costs.
Downscale special events such as Fourth of July, Christmas Parade/Tree Lighting, and Concerts in the Park.
Institute a seasonal closure of the Civic Auditorium, resulting in one full-time position reduction and decreased utilization by the public.
Downscale landscaping and maintenance of Pixie Woods, resulting in a less well-kept and enjoyable park. *Due to Police and OVP utilizing 65% of Measure A funding under Measure B, these departments were asked to provide a scenario which depicted the elimination of all Measure B expenditures and their percentage of the 35% remaining in the General Fund, rather than the flat 17% scenario that other departments were asked to prepare.
EXHIBIT 3