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CHULAVISTA
DATE: June 7, 2013
Councilmember Patricia Aguilar
City Of Chula Vista
276 Fourth Avenue
Chula Vista, Ca 91910
619.691.5044 - 679.476.5379 Fax
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TO: Mayor Cheryl Cox, Councilmembers Pamela Bensoussan, Rudy Ramirez and Mary Salas; City
Manager Jim Sandoval
FROM: Councilmember Patricia Aguilar
RE: Suggested budget allocations for FY 2013-2014 /
I would like to suggest that the City Council take action during the budget hearing on Tuesday, June 11 to
allocate:
A. Additional funds in the FY 2013-14 budget to add to the pot of money set aside for additional
compensation for the CVEA, WCE, and mid-managers' bargaining units. We are all aware that
these bargaining units have been the most adversely affected during the past few years of budget
cuts. Although I realize much uncertainty in the economy remains, the general consensus seems
to be that the worst is over. Given that these three bargaining units were hardest hit, I
recommend allocation of additional funds in the propdsed budget to restore more of the cuts
these bargaining units voluntarily agreed to when the city asked them to do so.
B. Funds to restore a 1/2 Engineering Tech II position. The GMOC Annual Report that was
accepted by City Council and Planning Commission on April 25~" included a recommendation to
restore this position. As I understand it, this position is important to the collection of traffic data,
which in turn is necessary for the GMOC to make its annual determination regarding whether we
are meeting the traffic thresholds.
C. Sufficient funds to reopen City Hall to the public on Fridays, even if only for half a day. Given that
our core mission is serving the public, and as the economic climate has begun to stabilize and we
are now hiring additional staff, I think this is the right thing to do.
I am unable to offer specific suggestions as to where the funds could/would come from to accomplish
these items because I don't know what the cost of each would be. However, I note that the budget
projects General Fund reserves to be around 9%. Although the council has recently set a long term goal
of 15% in reserves, which I support, in the past reserves of 8% were always considered adequate. Given
A, B, and C above, I believe it would not be inappropriate maintain an 8% reserve for FY 2013-14, then
establish a plan to get us to 15% over the next ten years.
Thank you for your consideration of these suggestions.
Best Wishes,
Chula Vista City Councilmember Pat Aguilar