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<br />FY 2008-2009 Preliminary Budget Workshop <br />Page 2 of 7 <br /> <br />reached with all of the City's bargaining units. While significantly <br />reducing General Fund expenditures (as compared to the current year's <br />adopted budget), the preliminary bUdget plan places Riverside in the <br />enviable position of considering a budget which does not impose layoffs <br />of City staff, eliminate City programs and services, or rely too heavily <br />upon one-time revenue sources. <br /> <br />Budget Strategy <br /> <br />Per the Council's direction on February 12th, next year's spending plan <br />reflects your key priorities: <br /> <br />. Enhance Public Safety <br />. Increase Transportation Investments <br />. Support Business Development <br />. Invest in the Future <br />. Provide Environmental Leadership <br />. Maintain the Riverside Renaissance Initiative momentum <br />. Promote Arts and Culture <br /> <br />As currently proposed, next year's budget focuses heavily upon Public <br />Safety services, which constitute 66% of the total General Fund budget. <br /> <br />In response to the Council's direction over the course of the current year, <br />the FY 2008-09 spending plan will: <br /> <br />. Bring new Fire equipment online (Fire Engine, Heavy Rescue <br />Vehicle) to serve City residents <br />. Complete installation of Emergency Vehicle Preemption devices at <br />107 signalized intersections in our City <br />. Continue funding 15 new firefighter positions created to staff <br />newly-opened Fire Stations <br />. Continue adding new patrol officers to the City's Police <br />Department; the City would begin the FY 08-09 process by funding <br />immediate redeployment of experienced Police Officers currently <br />serving in School Resource Officer positions for which school <br />district funding may no longer be available <br />. Preserve the CounCil's option to fund additional officers and <br />firefighters mid-year, after further information regarding State <br />budget impacts and local revenue trends becomes available <br />. Roll out the 4.9 GHz Public Safety Network, to allow instant <br />wireless communication and streaming video to/from/among the <br />City's emergency responders <br />. Continue aggressive replacement of Police patrol vehicles, <br />purchasing 60 new vehicles in less than one year <br /> <br />3-2 <br />