Berkeley City Council will discuss the city’s proposed biennial 2014-15 budget at its meeting this Tuesday, along with a licensing agreement to install charging stations for electric cars and other matters.
The city of Berkeley currently faces a projected general fund deficit of $3 million for 2014 and $2.1 million for 2015, according to a draft version of the budget published last month. Because the city is required to enact a balanced budget, the shortfalls must be filled with a combination of cuts or increases in revenue.
The budget notes that while the city’s revenue has increased in recent years — in part due to the economic recovery — revenue growth has not kept up with increases in expenditures, resulting in the deficit. Next year’s shortfall, however, represents a marked improvement from the $13.3 million deficit projected for 2013.
Measures to balance the budget for 2014 include reductions of around 2 percent in funding across city departments, which is expected to save around $3 million. $200,000 in additional funds will be raised by increasing fees for the Resident Preferential Parking Program, among other actions. The budget proposes these changes be made entirely in 2014 and maintained in 2015 to account for the 2015 projected deficit.
The budget also recommends cutting 10 full-time jobs to fill deficits in other nongeneral funds. Between fiscal years 2009 and 2015, the city will have eliminated roughly 200 positions, a decrease in staffing by nearly 12 percent, according to the budget.
The budget projects general fund expenditures of $150.4 million in 2014 and $152.9 million in 2015.
One budget amendment by Councilmembers Jesse Arreguin and Gordon Wozniak is listed on the agenda for the meeting. The proposal suggests amending the budget to reduce funding for certain expenses at City Council and mayoral offices to help lower the deficit.
The proposal notes that while many city departments have faced cuts in recent years, mayoral and council-member funding is set by the city charter and is entitled to regular increases. This proposal, however, aims to reduce funding for parts of mayoral and council-member funding unrestricted by the charter, such as funding for office supplies, to aid in reducing the city’s deficit.
The council will also vote on whether to offer consent on a licensing agreement with City CarShare, a nonprofit car sharing service, for expanding its use of electric vehicles in Berkeley.
City CarShare has requested that the city allow it to install charging equipment in city parking garages and lots so that it can provide electric car service in Berkeley. The proposal coincides with the city’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for expanding car sharing programs and the use of low-emission vehicles.
Jacob Brown is a news editor. Contact him at [email protected]