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In response to Councilmember Balch, Interim Director of Finance Shah confirmed staff recommends <br /> not adjusting money in the Rainy Day Fund. <br /> In response to Mayor Brown, Interim Director of Finance Shah confirmed the City has been meeting its <br /> reserve goals over the past few years. She noted the City typically ends up with a clean audit annually. <br /> In response to Mayor Brown, Interim Director of Finance Shah confirmed the new fire alarms and <br /> generator added to the CIP by staff were included in the May 31 presentation at a combined cost of <br /> $1.4 million. <br /> Mayor Brown opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> In response to Councilmember Arkin, Interim Director of Finance Shah confirmed the City's goal is to <br /> have a minimum reserve of 20%, a maximum reserve of 30%, and a target reserve of 25%. She <br /> confirmed from the May 31 workshop there is 29.2% in reserve. <br /> Councilmember Arkin stated having a 29.2% reserve is fiscal responsibility. She stated changing the <br /> policy could be a future discussion but does not change anything today. <br /> Councilmember Arkin moved to approve the Mid-Term Operating Budget and CIP with an additional <br /> allocation of $1 million towards the skatepark. Councilmember Testa seconded the motion. <br /> Councilmember Narum stated prior Councils have demonstrated their fiscal conservation and it is what <br /> Pleasanton is built upon. She noted inflation and interest rates are rising and expenses will increase <br /> with them. <br /> Councilmember Narum made a substitute motion to approve the Mid-Term Operating Budget and CIP <br /> and not take any money from reserves. She advised there are no economic indicators denying rough <br /> times are ahead. <br /> Councilmember Balch seconded the substitute motion. He advised if the current budget showed an <br /> additional $10 million in costs the reserve would still be deemed sufficient based on policy. He <br /> acknowledged the proposed reserve is at the high end of the range but noted they are still facing <br /> continued impacts from the pandemic and businesses will need to start to repay loans whenever the <br /> Emergency Order is lifted. He advised inflation is being felt all over and noted the City will be taking out <br /> some debt on a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) treatment plant in a period of rising interest <br /> rates. He stated reducing the reserve for any CIP project is not in the City's best interests. He advised <br /> the original motion would accelerate the reduction of reserves in a period of great uncertainty. <br /> SUBSTITUTE MOTION: It was m/s by Narum/Balch to approve the Mid-Term Operating Budget <br /> and Capital Improvement Program as recommended by staff and not allocate additional funds <br /> from the reserve account. Motion failed by the following vote: <br /> Ayes: Councilmembers Balch, Narum <br /> Noes: Councilmembers Arkin, Testa, Mayor Brown <br /> Absent: None <br /> In response to Councilmember Testa, Interim Director of Finance Shah confirmed the City had budget <br /> surpluses during the pandemic but noted the City received $8.6 million in federal relief funding and also <br /> had cost savings from closed programs. She stated the surplus in the FY 21/22 mid-year update was <br /> $5.7 million. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 9 of 18 June 21, 2022 <br />