Contact: Mayor Jim Ridenour  (209) 571-5597
No. 08-152
May 27, 2008

Proposed Budget Going to Council

Earlier this month, Modesto Mayor Jim Ridenour released his Fiscal Year (FY) 2008-09 Proposed Budget. Last week a series of public workshops were held with the City Council's Finance Committee to review the Mayor's Proposed Budget and to provide Committee recommendations as well.

The Committee upheld most of the Mayor's recommendations with just a few adjustments.

• Restored funding for code enforcement and neighborhood preservation activities through the BEAT Health Program
• Kept grant funding for cultural activities and programs
• Provided additional funding ($95,095) for a Police Officer in the Street Crimes Unit
• Restored funding for work on the City's General Plan update
• In response to community input, funded neighborhood pool programs at Graceada, Roosevelt, C.F. Brown, Everett Parks and a recreation program, with spray pad, at Marshall Park.

As these items are recommended to be restored, cuts in other areas had to be made to maintain the level of reduction necessary for a balanced budget. These reductions are recommended in the form of reducing discretionary department spending in areas such as advertising, printing, office supplies, use of temporary employees, and a variety of poorly attended recreation programs such as the Spring Basketball League.

"This budget process has been exceptionally difficult given the current economic times," said Mayor Ridenour. "I appreciate the time and dedication of city staff and the Finance Committee members; their ideas and hard work are producing the ideas and results needed to balance the budget."

The FY 2008-09 Proposed Budget strives to minimize reductions in core service areas and focuses on key fiscal priorities: public safety, program for the less fortunate, clean drinking water, safe waste disposal, preservation of developed assets like the parks system and maintaining economic competitiveness.

The Mayor's Proposed Budget along with the recommendations from the Finance Committee Workshops will be part of a public hearing process at this evening's City Council meeting. The FY 2008-09 Proposed Budget will be considered for adoption at the June 3 Council meeting.

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To contact the City of Modesto Public Information Office, 
call Jessica Smart at (209) 571-5125. Email: jsmart@modestogov.com