Politics & Government
Novato Council Readies for 'Status Quo' Budget Vote
The $54.4 million budget recommended by the city manager avoids painful cuts for a second straight year.
The Novato City Council tonight will consider the adoption of a proposed $54.4 million “status quo” budget just in time for the start of a new fiscal year.
The proposed budget was prepared amid a fiscal sustainability effort and features no major changes from the city's 2012/2013 budget, with no painful cuts.
The proposed budget lands on the desks of city lawmakers on the recommendation of City Manager Michael Frank.
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A staff report projects an increase of over 1 percent in revenues in the upcoming fiscal year to $28.9 million, a sign the staff believes shows the city is gradually emerging from the longterm economic downturn.
Sales taxes, however, are not keeping with the pace they're growing in neighboring cities, the staff report concludes.
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The proposed budget includes a $14.2 million for capital improvements, of which about $9.3 million comes from unspent funds for already-approved projects.
Capital improvements in the next year include completing construction of new city office buildings, Phase 1 of improvements to Downtown Depot's parking, restarting the Novato Boulevard widening, and continued street-paving with some intersection and pedestrian improvements.
The proposed budget can be viewed online.
