ACTION MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF VILLA PARK, CALIFORNIA
May 6, 2024
2024-25 Second Budget Workshop
Workshop Session
5:00 p.m. - City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Mayor Pro Tem Jones called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS:
PRESENT: Miles, Pitts, Wu, Jones, and Rossini (arrived at 5:15 p.m.) ABSENT: None
PRESENTATIONS / ANNOUNCEMENTS / COUNCIL MEETING REPORTS No presentations.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
No public comments.
NEW BUSINESS
1. 2024-25 Second Budget Workshop Presentation
City Manager Franks opened the session with a brief overview of the FY 2024-25 budget process. He outlined the agenda for the meeting referencing the PowerPoint presentation distributed at the meeting. He stated that the City of Villa Park is in very good financial condition due to conservative budget policies adopted by past and current City Councils.
From a strategic perspective, City staff utilize conservative estimates for revenues and project high-side expenditures in preparing the budget. He then turned the presentation over to Lee Siow, City Finance Director.
Referring to the presentation package beginning on page #3, Finance Director Siow provided an overview of the FY 2023-24 Year-End Projections, followed by a summary of 2024-25 Revenue Assumptions. She concluded her presentation with a summary of 2024-25 Estimated Financing (as found on page #6 of the presentation package). During the course of her presentation, both City Manager Franks and Finance Director Siow responded to various inquires from City Council members.
Following the presentation by Finance Director Siow, City Manager Franks presented an overview of 2024-25 Expenditure Issues. Referring to the presentation package beginning on page #7, his presentation included an overview of the Rebudget of 23-24 Projects, Continuation of Council Priorities (including Capital Projects/Infrastructure, General issues, Contracted/External Mandates, Technology, Salaries & Employee May 6, 2024 Villa Park City Council Minutes
2024-25 Second Budget Workshop
Benefits, CaPERS Contribution Rate Adjustments, and finally Reserves & Contingencies).
During his presentation, City Manager Franks responded to various inquiries regarding specific expenditure issues from City Council members, including a question from Councilman Pitts regarding potential funding for Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR). City Manager Franks indicated that City staff had not included funding for projects/items that have not been approved by the City Council. However, he stated that funds could be identified should the Council approve the acquisition of ALPRs. He also stated the resurfacing the balance of Taft Avenue (Lemon to Canon) has not been budgeted due to limited financial and staffing resources. However, City staff will evaluate relative to future paving projects.
City Manager Franks stressed that the City of Villa Park remains in good financial position and has a healthy General Fund Undesignated Reserve representing 50% of General Fund Annual Operating Budget (consistent with City Council policy). In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tem Jones, City Manager Franks explained that the City of Villa Park was not "masking" any budgetary imbalances or structural financing issues as reported for other local municipal jurisdictions. The City has no debt beyond CaPERS Pension obligations and is actually setting funds aside in advance to cover said obligations. The City makes every effort to be transparent in financial matters, including publication of the annual external audit done on City finances each year.
No votes or actions were taken by the City Council. As there were no public comments and no further Council comments, Mayor Rossini adjourned the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m. to the next regular Council meeting to be held whether in person or via teleconference on Tuesday, May 28, ones
for Vince Rossiki, Mayor
City ofVilla Park
Steve Franks, City Clerk
City of Villa Park