REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Annual Public Hearing on FY 2014/15 Budget and Resource Allocation Plan and Establishment of Appropriations Limit
Report
BACKGROUND
The City Charter requires a Public Hearing be held prior to the adoption of the City's budget and resource allocation plan.
Further, Article XIIIB of the California Constitution established appropriations limits on government agencies within California. Originally enacted by Proposition 4 in 1979, the appropriations limit creates a ceiling for the appropriations of tax proceeds that can be made by the state, school districts, and local governments in California. The limit uses 1978-79 as the "base" year and is adjusted annually for population growth and cost of living factors. The purpose of the appropriations limit is to preclude state and local governments from retaining excess revenues, which are required to be redistributed back to taxpayers and schools. To date, the City has not exceeded its appropriations limit in any year. Section 7910 of the Government Code requires that the City annually adopt an appropriations limit for the coming year. The supporting documentation for the establishment of the limit must be available for public review at least 15 days prior to the adoption of the appropriations limit resolution. The required material that provides detailed information on the City's appropriations limit has been available for public review since May 5, 2014 (Attachment A). The material is included in Volume I of the FY 2014/15 Recommended Budget.
EXISTING POLICY
In accordance with the City Charter, the California Constitution, and the California Government Code, a public hearing has been held annually for public comment on the budget and resource allocation plan and appropriations limit for the upcoming fiscal year.
Council Policy 7.1.1 Fiscal -Long Range Goals and Financial Policies:
A.1.7: At least one public hearing shall be held after the City Manager's recomme...
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