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BACKGROUND <br /> History of Growth and Development <br /> The City experienced significant growth starting in the 1980s, with double digit <br /> increases in both property tax and sales tax revenue as business parks and the <br /> Stoneridge Shopping Center were developed. This expansion and new revenue sources <br /> contributed to the development and renovation of infrastructure and City facilities in the <br /> 1980s and 1990s, many of which are still in use today. <br /> Revenue and Funding Trends <br /> Through several periods of significant growth, the City was able to balance its budget, <br /> adopt sound financial policies and set aside healthy reserves, maintain low debt levels, <br /> and construct facilities and infrastructure. <br /> The Great Recession (2007-2009) had a significant impact on the City's revenues. The <br /> decline in revenue resulted in less funding for infrastructure maintenance and <br /> development. <br /> The COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023) negatively impacted hotel tax revenue, resulting <br /> in over $11.0 million lost revenue during the pandemic. Hotel tax revenue projection at <br /> $4.0 million is well below the pre-pandemic level of$6.5 million. Rising costs coupled <br /> with reduction in revenue affected by the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the City's <br /> financial picture. <br /> Pension cost is a key cost driver, and the City has been proactive in funding its pension <br /> obligation to achieve budget savings. Labor contracts require employees to contribute <br /> their maximum share towards employee pension costs. In 2018, the City also created a <br /> Section 115 Trust to help address impacts of rising pension costs; however, the trust is <br /> a "smoothing" tool and will not fully address rising costs. The City's recent Long-Term <br /> Financial Forecast prepared as part of the 2023-25 budget projects expenditures <br /> outpacing revenues in coming years. <br /> In addition to infrastructure-related costs, like many other agencies, the City's operating <br /> costs are going up due to factors such as inflation, rising energy costs, higher contract <br /> service and operating material costs. The decline in hotel tax revenue will continue to <br /> impact the City's budget. Without additional resources, it will be challenging to maintain <br /> City services and programs at the current level and meet the demand of the community <br /> in future years (library services, recreation, and senior services, etc.). <br /> Prior City Council Investment and Direction <br /> Infrastructure development and maintenance has been a Council priority, as reflected in <br /> the work plan adopted by the City Council prior to COVID-19. At the March 21, 2023, <br /> Council meeting, staff presented a 10-Year Infrastructure Plan to the City Council that <br /> revealed that significant funding — estimated at nearly $89 million per year, or $900 <br /> million over the next 10 years — is needed to sustain today's existing public facilities and <br /> infrastructure in a state of good repair. <br /> Page 2 of 7 <br />