City passes $2.3 billion balanced budget for FY 2010

City Council today approved a $2.3 billion balanced budget for fiscal year 2010 that focuses on the City's core mission and basic services and encompasses efficiency reductions, resource redirections and service modifications totaling more than $19 million in reduced spending.

"During these tough economic times, we've had to make some difficult choices. But we've done so in a way that prioritizes the core functions of city government to best serve all San Antonians," said Mayor Julián Castro.

The 2010 Operating Budget includes $9.3 million in general fund improvements with more than $2 million of that amount resulting from resource redirections. The budget also includes $11 million in mandated services to include the operating costs for one new fire station and three new branch libraries. The City's financial reserves will be maintained at a 9% rate in FY 2010. In addition, for the third year in a row, the budget includes a reduction in the City property tax rate, reflecting the City/County consolidation of clinical health services with the county health system.

Although the budget does not include a cost of living increase for civilian, uniformed, and retired employees, employee health insurance premiums will be maintained without a rate increase for FY 2010.

"The City budget is balanced and focuses on City Council priorities that provide high quality basic City services to the community; a significant priority to our organization and our core business," said City Manager Sheryl Sculley. "We identified necessary cuts through efficiencies that will allow the City to continue to provide residents with enhanced public safety and infrastructure improvements, as well as set a strong fiscal foundation for FY 2011."

The adopted 2010 budget focuses on service priorities that are critical to the city's local economic recovery and demonstrate the continued commitment to providing high quality services that improve the quality of life for residents. Service enhancements include $1.4 million in redirected resources for the enhanced street preservation program to extend the quality of city streets; $4.5 million was approved for new sidewalks throughout the community. To address public safety, the budget includes 50 new, uniformed police officers funded through the Federal Economic Stimulus program and 29 new firefighters/EMS positions will be added primarily to meet an increasing volume of emergency calls.

The 2010 budget includes over $2.5 million in new funding for the Haven for Hope campus. With additional funding, a total of over $4 million in General Fund resources will be included for Haven for Hope and related community services.

There will be no increase in the solid waste fee in this year's budget. The City is on schedule to complete the conversion to automated garbage and recycling collection in the spring of 2010 as planned.

As a service efficiency improvement, all City library operating hours will be realigned to allow for all branch libraries to be open seven days a week.

Significant efforts were made to encourage public and employee input throughout
this year’s budget process. Residents and employees were asked for their budget input before and after the proposed budget was presented to City Council on August 13. Community budget hearings were held in all ten Council district between August 17 and August 31. More than 600 residents participated in the hearings and over 150 speakers provided comment. A comprehensive brochure, video and website also were available to residents seeking budget information.