American Canyon plans to tap its reserves

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Monday, August 31, 2009

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By KERANA TODOROV
Register Staff Writer

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American Canyon officials balk at budget questionnaire, want more data

The city of American Canyon expects to borrow more than $1.7 million from its reserves this year and is getting ready to cut expenses in 2010-2011.

City officials will meet with groups including developers, PTAs, mobile home park residents, service clubs and the community advocacy group Impact 94503 to assess the pros and cons of various city programs or “cost centers,” City Manager Rich Ramirez said Tuesday. The meetings are by invitation only, though public town halls are also planned.

Programs that may be talked about include the school resource officer planned for American Canyon High School and the $17,000 set aside for Fourth of July fireworks. The city may also seek to raise revenues by increasing the transient occupancy tax paid by guests at the city’s inns and hotels. The tax is now 10 percent on the cost of a room, while it is 12 percent elsewhere in the county.

“Potentially, there could be revenue enhancements,” City Manager Rich Ramirez said at Tuesday’s Finance Committee meeting.

The City Council on Wednesday was expected to meet in closed session to discuss negotiations on a new labor contract for 76 city employees, an agreement that is up this year. The city is not considering staff layoffs this year, Ramirez stressed.

This year’s $1.7 million budget hole includes a one-time hit of close to $700,000 in Proposition 1A funds the state is borrowing back to help close its deficit, and $612,000 in losses in property tax revenues because assessments decreased by more than the city anticipated.

The American Canyon Fire Protection District, whose budget is separate from the city’s, estimates a $280,000 shortfall. Fire Chief Glen Weeks said reserves would keep the loss from affecting services.

4 comment(s)

Get Real wrote on Aug 31, 2009 6:32 AM:

" Hey, the Vallejo fire contract has been thrown out, the City of Vallejo can start anew, since the Vallejo fire contract was used as a bargaining tool to inflate Napa Co. various fire departments, maybe they can all be "re-versed bargained" and take a pay and benefits cut, that will save American Canyon a lot of money... "

Margo wrote on Aug 31, 2009 8:18 AM:

" The Hotel tax should be consistent across the board. What about the revenue from the Walmart, is that bringing in the $400,000 we were told it was going to? You can't cut any more at the schools. You just can't. "

tony wrote on Aug 31, 2009 10:20 AM:

" The city of American Canyon general fund statement of revenues and expenditures ending June 2008 show a fund balance of 10.9 million dollars.
The Fire District has 3.1 million fund balance.
Vote "NO" to "revenue enhancements". "

freshair wrote on Aug 31, 2009 12:36 PM:

" It seems to me that the city needs to look internally to reduce their employment costs as well and don't forget that the city manager is a member of the same labor union.
The revenues generates from project like Napa Junction has been a life savior for the city, considering most of the city revenues used to be generated by the building trade industry (lumber yards).
Finally, if the city could actually process projects in a timely manner, they could get their revenues they are looking for. Government speed should no longer be accepted in these challenging times. "

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