CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE
Brian Dossey, City Manager
Happy Summer! With Summer comes the Town’s new fiscal year – which begins July 1. In preparation for the new fiscal year, the City Council approves the Town’s annual budget in June. The annual budget hearing is the culmination of many months of hard work by Colma staff, and the document reflects the Council’s commitment to providing high quality services to our residents.
The good news is that the Town’s financial picture continues to be very stable. This is due in no small part to the City Council’s financial prudence and staff’s hard work and commitment, which has left us with an operating surplus of $2.73 million. This does not include capital investments of $8.17 million. Staff will be bringing back a plan to Council to address the Town’s ongoing unfunded liabilities that will put the Town in an even-more favorable financial state.
The Town anticipates receiving $19.78 million in revenues for all funds and spending $25.23 million in Operating ($17.06 million) and Capital ($8.17 million) expenditures. The budget also expects a transfer of $975,000 from the General Fund to finance Capital Improvement Projects and debt service. The largest revenue source for the Town is Sales Tax and represents 63 percent of the total General Fund reve nue. The estimated Sales Tax revenue for FY2018-19 is $11.75 million – an increase of approximately $300,000 (or 2.6 percent) compared to the FY 2017-18 Estimated Budget.
Cardroom Tax revenue is the second largest source, which represents 23 percent of General Fund revenue. The FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget assumes the Town will receive $4.24 million, which is $70,000 more than current estimates for FY 2017-18.
The FY 2018-19 Budget anticipated adding $1.02 million into the General Fund Reserves. This is a representation of the continued strength in the economy and financial prudence of the City Council and Town Staff in containing costs wherever possible.
Also, don’t forget to attend the Community Fair on Saturday, July 14th at the Colma Community Center, 1520 Hillside Blvd., from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Enjoy live music, arts & crafts, and fitness. There will be over 40 craft vendors, local businesses, food and activities for all. For more information please contact the Recreation Services Department at (650) 985-5690.
YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAM
Kirk Stratton, Chief of Police
One of the objectives for the Colma Police Department, outlined in the Town’s Strategic Plan for 2017-2019, is to build a Youth Outreach Program. The Colma Police Department has partnered with the Recreation Services Department to plan and implement various events and activities for our youth and police officers. The benefits of the Youth Outreach Program include building positive relationships with the youth of our community, mentoring and motivating youth to work hard in school, helping to build self-confidence and self-image, and providing a better understanding of police work.
The goal of the Youth Outreach Program is to prepare youth for the opportunity to recognize and resist peer pressure and negative influences as well as educate youth on topics such as anti-bullying, gang prevention, and the importance of academics. The program is designed to encourage youth participation in a wide variety of educational, recreational, and athletic activities, and help them prepare for future roles in the community as citizens and leaders.
Colma Police Officers will meet with youth on the last Thursday of every month at the Sterling Park Recreation Center as well as additional off-site outings throughout the year. A list of scheduled events for each month can be located on the Recreation Services Department Facebook page, the Colma Police Department Facebook page, the Livewire and the Town’s website. Informational flyers will be distributed at the Colma Community Center and Sterling Park prior to scheduled events or you can contact the Recreation Services Department at 650-985-5678 for more information.
The Youth Outreach Program would not be possible without the efforts of the Colma Recreation staff, and the men and women of the Colma Police Department. We look forward to the positive interactions with our youth and community.