Anticipating an infusion of cash from the city’s recently enacted sales tax hike, Finance Director David Cain was able to deliver an upbeat proposed 2017-18 budget to the City Council at a study session Monday, with a few perks added.
In contrast to past years – when structural deficits forced the city to prune its expenses, delay services and capital improvements – this year’s budget met with more positive reactions from the City Council.
“We’re fortunate to be in this position today,” said Cain. “Thanks to Measure HH we’re able to do some things. We’re in a better place than many of our neighbors.”
Not only was Cain able to meet expenses without going into cash reserves for the first time in three years – and only the third time in nine years – the city will begin working on several improvement projects and can hire a new battalion chief/administration specialist for the fire department and two police officers.