The Williams City Council last month approved a preliminary spending plan that will fund police and fire protection, city administration, and other public services for two years.
The city also expects to end their $9.4 million 2021-22 and $9.7 million for 2022-23 budget years with some money left to spare, officials said.
Finance Director Rex Greenbaum said the citys prudent fiscal policy and structural reductions has left the city in stable financial shape, thanks to improved economic conditions.
” Californias overall economy has continued to improve as the state continues to recover from the pandemic,” Greenbaum said.
The citys financial condition was helped by commercial growth with the city receiving large increases on sales and property taxes. The citys taxes are largely dependent on gas sales, although revenues fluctuate with changing gas prices, he said.
The city will add a new police officer position to provide school resources to Williams Unified School District, and to provide back up to the police department when needed.
The WUSD agreed to pay the city $65,000 annually for three years. The memorandum of understanding with the city is to be finalized tonight during the school boards regular meeting.
Greenbuam said he is projecting the city will not have to dip into reserves to balance the books in 2022 or 2023.
” While costs have continued to rise, an overall healthy economy – coupled with strong commercial growth – has enabled the city to maintain our balanced budgets,” he said.
Williams general fund expenditures are expected to run $4.9 million in 2022 and $5.1 million in 2023, with public safety (police) running $2.4 million in 2022 and $2.5 in 2023.
While salaries and pension costs continue to rise, Greenbaum said the most dramatic increase in the citys budget is the cost of insurance coverage, which is increasing everywhere for everyone.
Greenbaum said the citys annual insurance premium cost went from approximately $260,000 in 2021 to $460,000, largely due to the increase in the number of employees.
” The general fund increase of that is $110,650,” he said.
The citys water expenditures are expected to run $1 million through 2022 and $1.1 for 2023. Sewer expenditures are estimated at $2.3 in 2022 and $2.4 in 2023.
Williams has 37 full time employees. –