Surplus projected for city budget

With spending down and revenues up, Sonoma’s $10 million city budget appears to be in good shape at mid-term – but whether or not it remains that way may depend on the state’s own fiscal health.
“That’s a critical $64 million question that remains to be answered,” Assistant City Manager Carol Giovanatto told the City Council at its July 16 session.
In brief, the city’s General Fund – the “bread and butter” of civic finances – projects a 2 percent increase in revenue and a 2.6 percent drop in spending, resulting in a surplus of $164,497. Giovanatto explained that the report should be considered “preliminary” since some of the money owed the city – notably hotel taxes and state subsidies – is paid after it’s due, and some of the budgeted expenditures haven’t been billed yet.
The council approved 4-0 more than $600,000 in additional spending, with $200,000 apiece for City Hall’s current renovation and underground cleanup at the old Patten Street firehouse – the latter refundable through a state program. Other “big ticket” adjustments included $30,000 for disaster preparedness supplies and public education; $30,000 for the city’s new graffiti abatement program; $149,000 for demolishing several buildings at the northeast corner of Broadway and Clay Street; and $25,400 to account for rising fuel costs.
The most contentious adjustment concerned whether or not the city should spend $50,000 for a full-time mechanic to service engines and apparatus for the Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority. SVFRA Chief Phillip Garcia said maintenance on the 26-vehicle fleet is currently performed by one of the department’s emergency medical workers – both during and in addition to the employee’s 56-hour shift.
The SVFRA is a joint powers agreement between the Sonoma Fire Department and Valley of the Moon Fire Protection District, and Garcia said the mechanic would be employed by VOM and bill the city for services rendered. He said the position would be subject to review, but could ultimately include all city vehicles, as well as occasional contract work for the Schell-Vista and Glen Ellen fire departments. The position would pay less than the current $110-an-hour shop rate, which would otherwise cost $147,000 annually, according to SVFRA division chief John Franceschi.
Councilmember Steve Barbose questioned the SVFRA’s need for the position, suggesting that a citywide mechanic might be a better idea – and saying he’d like to consult with Mayor Joanne Sanders, who was absent that evening due to illness. Councilmember August Sebastiani and Mayor Pro Tem Ken Brown agreed, and while Councilmember Stanley Cohen expressed mixed emotions – especially given California’s current wildfire crisis – he said he had “no problem” with Garcia’s proposal.