HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9280INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
No. 9280
July 20, 2010
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: FY2010 BUDGET PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS
In June 2010, the City launched a public engagement process to provide residents
information about the City's budget process. Members of the public and City employees
were invited to share their suggestions for reducing expenditures, increasing revenues
and maintaining city services.
The Community Relations Department developed a presentation titled Fiscal Year 2011
Budget Workshop for Community Stakeholders, a thirty minute educational video to
allow residents an opportunity to learn more about the development of the City's budget.
The video is located on the City's website on a web page dedicated to the fiscal year
2011 budget. A green button on the home page directs visitors to the video as well as
to budget presentations, Informal Reports, budget workshops, and other budget related
presentations. The budget calendar, frequently asked questions and a suggestion and
comment box can also be found on the site at www.fortworthgov.org /fy2011 budget . To
date, the site has received over 7,000 views from 4,635 unique visitors.
In addition, 190 comments have been received from the public and 170 from City
employees. Suggestion box submissions are shared with the City Manager, the
Assistant City Managers and the Budget Office on a weekly basis. The suggestion box
will remain available to residents and employees throughout the budget process.
On June 22, 2010, the City Manager held a public informational open house and input
meeting. The open house included a series of information stations that explained how
City services are funded, demonstrated the current economic landscape and presented
possible solutions for closing the budget gap. The informational open house was
followed by a public comment and question and answer period.
From June 3 through July 4, residents provided input on the City budget by filling out the
Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Exercise. The budget balancing exercise challenged residents
to consider the City's financial situation and make some of the same difficult choices
that City leaders have to face in order to balance the FY2011 budget. Residents
completing the exercise had the option to submit a balanced budget through a
combination of service reductions and /or revenue increases. This interactive Budget
Exercise was available on the budget website, as well as a Spanish PDF version. A
printed version of the exercise was published in the Fort Worth Star - Telegram on June
9, in La Vida The Black Voice the week of June 10, and in Spanish in La Estrella on
June 12. A limited number of printed copies of the exercise were also available at
community centers.
While the results are not scientific, they show that a total of 1537 respondents
attempted the budget balancing exercise and 1153 successfully submitted a balanced
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
:►
N
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
No. 9280
July 20, 2010
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: FY2010 BUDGET PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS
budget. Attached to this Informal Report is a map that shows participation rates among
residents by zip code and a summary of the Budget Exercise results.
Multiple efforts were made to get the word out about the City of Fort Worth's budget
process. To date there have been:
• 5 City News articles in the Star - Telegram about the budget process
• Public Engagement posters displayed at Community Centers, Libraries and other
city facilities
• Fliers passed out and announcements made at neighborhood meetings
• 6 E -News articles sent to approximately 2500 subscribers
• 2 news releases and media advisories sent and 20 media inquiries responded to
The City of Fort Worth is committed to sharing information about the City's FY2011
Budget. Budget related presentations and informal reports will be added to the web site
throughout the budget process. A second budget tool is in development to allow for
additional public input. Residents are encouraged to continue to share their comments
and suggestions.
Should you have any additional question regarding this matter, please contact Vanessa
Ruiz Boling, Community Relations Department Director at 817 - 392 -7534.
6al A. Fisseler, E.
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Exercise Page 1 of 4
Official site of the City of Fort Worth, Texas
Budget Exercise Results F °R- WoRTy
There have been a total of 1537 respondents that have filled out the contact
information form. Of those that completed the contact form 1153 completed and
submitted a budget.
I. Reductions in Spending
Close the gap to
balance the budget
A. Reductions in City Services (of the following five
options you are limited to one selection)
Number and
percentage
selecting this option
Across the board cuts in all departments $ 38.50M 265 (23.0 %)
resulting in a reduction in public services such as
police, fire, planning, zoning and development
services, libraries, parks, community centers,
athletics programs, road construction, street
repairs, facility maintenance, enforcement of city
codes, animal care and control, municipal court
services, economic development programs and
communication with residents. Administrative
services such as financial management, legal, audit
and human resources services will also be reduced.
Strategicacross the board cuts resulting in a $ 23.00M 241 (20.9 %)
reduction in some public services such as police,
fire, planning, zoning and development services,
libraries, parks, community centers, athletics
programs, road construction, street repairs, facility
maintenance, enforcement of city codes, animal
care and control, municipal court services,
economic development programs and
communication with residents. Administrative
services such as financial management, legal, audit
and human resources services will also be reduced.
Signifcandy reduce or eliminate services such $ 35.70M 234 (20.3 %)
as neighborhood libraries, maintenance of
neighborhood and community parks, community
centers, economic and community development
programs, neighborhood arts programs, customer
service initiatives, remaining swimming pool,
programs that keep residents informed of city
business, City Web Site and programs that help
connect children, senior citizens and residents in
underserved communities to assistance and
support.
http: / /test.cfwnet.org/ applications /efonns/Results.aspx 7/15/2010
Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Exercise
Reduce or eliminate some services such as
neighborhood libraries, maintenance of
neighborhood and community parks, community
centers, economic and community development
programs, neighborhood arts programs, customer
service initiatives, remaining swimming pool,
programs that keep residents informed of city
business, City Web Site and programs that help
connect children, senior citizens and residents in
underserved communities to assistance and
support.
Maintain most City services, reducing or
eliminating on /yservices and programs such as
customer service initiatives, employee retention
programs, business assistance programs,
remaining swimming pool, athletic facilities and
programs, neighborhood arts programs and
programs that help connect children, senior
citizens and residents in underserved communities
to assistance and support.
B. Defer Investments/ Contributions
Modify pension contribution to City employees'
retirement fund.
Reduce vehicle purchases and continue operating
older fleet.
II. Increases in Revenue
Please note that revenue increases resulting
from the next two options (A & B) are applied to
both the operating budget and debt service,
improving the City's ability to issue debt that can
be used to build city streets and improve aging
infrastructure.
A. Reduce or eliminate Homestead Exemption. This
does not include the senior tax freeze or the
exemption for those over 65 or disabled. (of the
following three options you are limited to one
selection)
Page 2 of 4
$ 17.85M 143 (12.4 %)
$ 9.40M 194 (16.8 %)
$ 5.70M 522 (45.3 %)
$ 2.00M 872 (75.6 %)
Number and
Close the gap to percentage
balance the budget selecting this option
http: // test. cfwnet. org / applications /eforms/Results.aspx 7/15/2010
Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Exercise Page 3 of 4
Reduce homestead exemption by 5% at a cost of $ 6.40M 313 (27.1 %)
$5.50 per month for a homeowner with a home
value of $150,000.
Reduce homestead exemption by 10% at a cost of $ 12.80M 302 (26.2 %)
$11.00 per month for a homeowner with a home
value of $150,000.
Eliminate homestead exemption at a cost of $ 25.60M 217 (18.8 %)
approximately $21.00 per month for a homeowner
with a home value of $150,000.
B. Increase the property tax rate. (of the following
two options you are limited to one selection)
Raise the property tax rate by two cents. $ 6.80M 393 (34.1 %)
Raise the property tax rate by four cents. $ 13.60M 335 (29.1 %)
In the next three options (C, D & E), please note
that City financial management policies
discourage the use of revenue that is only
available for one year, to fund City operations.
City policies also require that the City maintain a
reserve.
C. Use rainy day funds that exceed the required
reserve balances. (of the following two options
you are limited to one selection)
Use entire amount in fiscal year 2011. $ 30.30M 185 (16.0 %)
Use a portion in fiscal year 2011. $ 15.15M 714 (61.9 %)
D. Suspend current policies restricting the use of gas
well revenue from minerals to help balance the
budget.
Use property tax revenue from minerals. $ 7.20M 900 (78.1 %)
E. Suspend current policies restricting the use of gas
well revenue to help balance the budget. (of the
following two options you are limited to one
selection)
Use a portion of available funds from bonuses, $ 7.23M 307 (26.6 %)
royalties and pipeline licenses.
Use available funds from bonuses, royalties and $ 28.90M 789 (68.4 %)
pipeline licenses.
http: // test. cfwnet. org / applications /eforms/Results.aspx 7/15/2010
76006
76020
76126
Budget Exercise Submissions by Zip Code
Sp 76247
761
%76132
76052
0
lM 76131
76106
76177
76248
76148
76137
76107
P7611
76109
76123
76119
76026
76060
N I— ww
-31 -45
- 46 -65
July 2010 /City of Fort Worth Community Relations Dept/Neighborhood Ed /Cl_emon