DEPARTMENT: Office of Management and Budget
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Maria Villagomez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT: Adopting the Annual Consolidated Operating and Capital Budget for FY 2016
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance adopting the Annual Consolidated Operating and Capital budgets for the City of San Antonio Fiscal Year 2016 that begins October 1; approving projects included in the FY 2016 to FY 2020 Five-Year Infrastructure Management Plan; approving the FY 2016 to FY 2021 Six-Year Capital Improvements Program for the City of San Antonio; authorizing personnel complements; authorizing a meet and confer agreement with San Antonio Park Police Officers’ Association; and appropriating funds.
Following the action taken on this item, the City Council will consider through separate ordinances 1) the ratification of the FY 2016 Budget, 2) the City's Maintenance & Operation Property Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2016, 3) the City's Debt Service Property Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2016, 4) the new fee and fee adjustment ordinance that address revenue adjustments included in the Fiscal Year 2016 Proposed Budget, 5) the FY 2015 Closing Ordinance, 6) an ordinance to amend and re-codify in part Chapter 14 as related to the implementation of the Pay As You Throw Solid Waste Collection Program, and 7) an ordinance to amend and re-codify in part Chapter 34 as related to the changes in rates of the monthly Stormwater Utility Fee and restructuring the billing and methodology using an impervious cover approach.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The FY 2016 Proposed Budget was presented to the Mayor and City Council on August 6, 2015. The FY 2016 Proposed Budget reflects City Council policy direction and community priorities. The Budget decreases the City’s property tax rate, increases funding to streets and sidewalks, and maintains public safety spending below 66% of the General Fund. Additionally, budgeted financial reserves are maintained at 15% of General Fund revenues. The budget proposal does not recommend any layoffs of uniform or civilian employees.
The Proposed Consolidated Annual Budget, comprised of all funds excluding transfers, totals $2.5 billion. The General Fund budget is $1.1 billion; restricted funds, including Aviation, Development Services, and Solid Waste, total $780 million; and the FY 2016 Capital Budget is $670 million.
Prior to the Proposed Budget presentation, residents participated in the new SpeakUp campaign, this included a user-friendly website, meetings across the city, an interactive budget balancing simulator, and social media. Between May 30, 2015 and June 23, 2015, more than 30 meetings were held with more than 1,100 attendees. The SpeakUp campaign generated more than 1,900 comments. Residents identified top service priorities as 1) Streets, Sidewalks, and Drainage, 2) Social Services and Programs, and 3) Parks and Recreation.
Following the Proposed Budget presentation, five Budget Open Houses were held between Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 25.
Two City-wide Public Hearings on the Budget and the City’s Property Tax Rate were held on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 and Wednesday, September 2, 2015 These events allowed San Antonio residents to voice their opinions about the FY 2016 Proposed Budget.
Over 300 residents attended the 5 Budget Open Houses and the Public Hearing held on Wednesday, August 19 and over 400 comments were received on the Proposed Budget through the Budget Open Houses, the Budget Public Hearing, SASpeakup Website, and Social Media.
Budget Worksessions were held with City Council between August 11, 2015 and September 9, 2015. These Worksessions presented to City Council detailed information about the proposals addressing City Council-identified service delivery priorities included within the FY 2016 Proposed Budget.
On September 10, City Council will consider the adoption of the FY 2016 Proposed Operating and Capital Budget along with any amendments as approved by City Council.
ISSUE:
On September 10, City Council will consider the adoption of the FY 2016 Proposed Operating and Capital Budget along with any amendments as approved by City Council.
City Council will consider several items related to the FY 2016 Budget adoption. The following items will be considered in the order shown below:
1. Adoption of Budget
2. Adoption of Ordinance Ratifying Adoption of Budget
3. Adoption of Ordinance Setting the Maintenance & Operation (M&O) Property Tax Rate
4. Adoption of Ordinance Setting the Debt Service Property Tax Rate
5. Adoption of Fee Adjustment Ordinance
6. Adoption of Closing Ordinance
7. Adoption of Ordinance to to amend and re-codify in part Chapter 14 as related to the implementation of the Pay As You Throw Solid Waste Collection Program
8. Adoption of Ordinance to to amend and re-codify in part Chapter 34 as related to the changes in rates of the monthly Stormwater Utility Fee and restructuring the billing and methodology using an impervious cover approach.
Separate memos have been placed on the September 10 agenda that address the Ratification of the Budget, Ad Valorem Tax Rate, Revenue Adjustments, the Closing Ordinance, and the Ordinances implement the new Pay As You Throw Solid Waste Collection Program as well as the new Stormwater Utility Fee.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is required by City Charter.
FISCAL IMPACT:
City Council consideration and subsequent adoption of this item by ordinance will adopt expenditures levels for the City of San Antonio Fiscal Year 2016 Operating and Capital Budgets.
RECOMMENDATION:
City Staff recommends approval of this item.