City Council (Special Meeting) - 5/12/2020

At its May 12, 2020 special meeting, the Sacramento City Council unanimously adopted the proposed FY 2020–21 operating and capital budget, totaling $1.3 billion and supporting 4,817 full-time positions. The continuation budget includes $11.3 million in capital improvements for ADA compliance and public-safety equipment and apparatus, about half the prior year’s CIP level; staff also confirmed Fire Station 10 improvements remained programmed. The city forecast roughly $60 million in lost FY 2021 revenue due to the pandemic and balanced the proposal using one-time resources. The budget did not include the separate $89 million in CARES Act funds. Council discussed a vacancy review identifying 293 net general-fund FTE vacancies budgeted at about $15 million after exclusions; staff will return with department-level service impacts and recommendations on freezing or eliminating positions. No individual contracts, vendors, or purchasing awards were identified.

The Council also approved an ordinance streamlining review of certain development applications, with alcohol-related conditional use permits removed from the streamlined process and a future report-back requested; the vote was opposed by Council Member Ashby, with the remaining recorded votes in favor. Separately, Council reviewed the storm drainage fund analysis, which identified substantial long-term infrastructure funding needs—including a modeled funding gap exceeding $1 billion under one service-level scenario and the potential need for significant future rate increases. The report did not approve a rate change; staff said rate options would return to Council. The Council also unanimously approved the appointment of Leticia Watson as Director of Public Safety Accountability.