Attachment 3 - Finance Commission Recommendation Report
PREPARED BY: Arn Andrews
Assistant Town Manager ATTACHMENT 3
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 05/18/2021 ITEM NO:
DATE: May 11, 2021
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager on behalf of the Finance Commission
SUBJECT: Receive Measure G, FY 2020/21, FY 2021/22 Proposed Operating and Capital
Budgets, and Five-Year Forecast Recommendations from the Town Finance
Commission per Measure A
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive Measure G, FY 2020/21, FY 2021/22 Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets, and Five-
Year Forecast recommendations from the Town Finance Commission per Measure A.
BACKGROUND:
On April 19, 2021, the Town Manager’s Proposed FY 2021/22 Operating and Capital Budgets
were posted on the Town’s website for the public’s review and comment. The Proposed
Budgets were published a month earlier than prior practice and 22 business days before May
18, 2021 (Council’s public hearing on the Budgets), in accordance with Measure A.
With the passage of Measure A, the Finance Commission has been tasked with several
mandated duties as described in the provisions of the adopted Ordinance. Section 2.50.225. –
Duties states that:
(a) The Finance Commission shall:
(2) Review the Town Manager's annual proposed budget prepared in accordance with
section 2.30.295(6) of the Town Code. and provide written comments and
recommendations to the Town Council.
(A) The Finance Commission's comments and recommendations shall include a
recommendation about whether the Town Council should approve or disapprove
the proposed budget. The Finance Commission may make a recommendation of
PAGE 2 OF 8 SUBJECT: Finance Commission Budget Recommendations to the Town Council per Measure A DATE: May 11, 2021
BACKGROUND (continued):
approval of the budget conditional upon the Town Council's acceptance of one or
more of the Finance Commission's recommendations.
(B) The Town Manager must provide a proposed budget to the Finance Commission at
least twenty (20) business days before the first meeting at which the proposed
budget is considered by the Town Council.
In addition, the Measure A ballot initiative disbanded the prior Measure G Sales Tax Oversight
Committee. Among other responsibilities, the Finance Commission is charged with reviewing
proposed Measure G expenditures prior to the Town’s expenditure of those revenues.
Following is the language established in the Measure A Finance Commission pertaining to
Measure G:
(6) Prior to the Town's expenditure of any revenues from the tax authorized by sections
25.60.010 et seq. of the Town Code, review the proposed expenditures and advise
the Town Council on whether such expenditures meet the Town Council's
objectives for that tax:
(A) Maintaining and enhancing neighborhood police patrols and local crime
prevention programs;
(B) Improving traffic flow to reduce congestion;
(C) Repairing potholes and maintaining the Town's streets, roads. and sidewalks:
and
(D) Maintaining the Town's long-term financial stability.
(7) Issue an annual public report of the expenditures and appropriations of sales tax
revenues approved by the Town Council during each fiscal year.
The Finance Commission established the following schedule to discuss and provide comments
on the Proposed Budgets and Measure G allocation (meeting Agenda and Minutes link
provided):
• April 19, 2021 – Special Finance Commission meeting
• April 26, 2021 - Special Finance Commission meeting
• May 3, 2021 – Special Finance Commission meeting
• May 10, 2021 – Regular Finance Commission meeting
https://meetings.municode.com/PublishPage/index?cid=LOSGATOS&ppid=548dac6e-53b3-
414b-85a3-1e2ab00d8040&p=0
PAGE 3 OF 8 SUBJECT: Finance Commission Budget Recommendations to the Town Council per Measure A DATE: May 11, 2021
BACKGROUND (continued):
In addition, the meeting schedule provided ample opportunities for the public to engage in the
process either through written comment or verbal comment through Zoom.
The discussion section of this report details the deliberations of the Finance Commission and its
recommendations to the Town Council.
DISCUSSION:
Finance Commission Current Budget Cycle Deliberations
Over the course of the Commission’s budget proceedings the Commission received
presentations on the Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets, Measure G allocation
requirements per Measure A, and expense and revenue alternative assumption scenarios. In
addition, staff provided responses to Commissioner inquiries throughout the process.
The Commissions deliberations coalesced around the following goals and observations:
• Enhance transparency in budget development, budget assumptions, and budget
presentation.
• The Proposed Budget significantly restricts capital expenditures relative to historic
allocations.
• The Proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is challenged by a lack of dedicated
funding.
• The higher percentage increases in the primary expenditures of Salary and Benefits
relative to revenues is constraining other investments.
• Recommend strategies to slow the growth in expenditures until there is greater clarity
on impacts to revenues.
Based on the aforementioned areas of emphasis, the Commission ultimately made a series of
nine recommendations to the Town Council. In addition, the Commission made a
recommendation to approve both the Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets based on
acceptance of the following nine recommendations:
Capital Improvement Plan Recommendations
As previously mentioned, Commissioners expressed that the Town needed to plan and budget
proactively for its capital needs and find reliable funding source(s). The Commission agreed
that the previous approach that created year-end surpluses was inadequate. As such, the
Commission recommended that additional funding be programmed to ensure continued
investment in critical Town infrastructure.
PAGE 4 OF 8 SUBJECT: Finance Commission Budget Recommendations to the Town Council per Measure A DATE: May 11, 2021
DISCUSSION (continued):
Motion by Commissioner Rick Tinsley to recommend to Council the allocation of the
$1.2 million Surplus Property Reserve (Winchester property sale proceeds) to the
Capital/Special Project Reserve for capital budgeting purposes as determined by the
Town Council’s priorities. Seconded by Chair Ron Dickel.
Motion passed unanimously
Motion by Commissioner Rick Tinsley to recommend to Council the allocation of the
accumulated Measure G funds through June 30, 2020 in the Measure G Reserve ($1.2
million) to the General Fund Appropriated Reserve (GFAR) for capital budgeting
purposes as determined by the Town Council’s priorities. Seconded by Chair Ron
Dickel.
Motion passed 4 to 1, Commissioner Loreen Huddleston opposed.
Motion by Chair Ron Dickel to allocate 50% Measure G proceeds for capital purposes
in FY 2020/21 and all periods after. Seconded by Commissioner Stacey Dell.
Motion passed 3 to 2, Commissioners Kyle Park and Rick Tinsley opposed.
Capital Improvement Plan Expenditure Recommendations
In addition to the recommended additional allocations to the Capital Program, the Commission
believed that the continuation of the roadside vegetation management program was essential
to be included in the workplan for FY 2021/22.
Motion by Chair Ron Dickel to add $500k from the previously recommended
additional allocations to the Capital Budget for continuation of the roadside
vegetation management project. Seconded by Commissioner Kyle Park.
Motion passed unanimously.
Operating Budget Expense Recommendations
The Commission reviewed historical time series and other data provided by staff as it relates to
the organization’s base salary and benefit expenses. As previously mentioned, the Commission
observed that higher percentage increases in the primary expenditures of Salary and Benefits
relative to revenues is constraining other investments. The table on the following page
illustrates the salary and benefit trends from FY 2014/15 through FY 2019/20 used by the
Commission during their deliberations.
PAGE 5 OF 8 SUBJECT: Finance Commission Budget Recommendations to the Town Council per Measure A DATE: May 11, 2021
DISCUSSION (continued):
Combined GF & ISF Fund Salaries
2014_15 2015_16 2016_17 2017_18 2018_19 2019_20
Salaries-Total 15,324,291$ 15,416,095$ 15,758,451$ 16,921,167$ 17,942,181$ 19,254,973$
Salaries-Temp 867,364$ 869,152$ 913,362$ 811,194$ 648,097$ 881,908$
Salaries-OT 436,917$ 415,372$ 545,427$ 583,001$ 707,046$ 708,955$
Benefits-Total 6,526,096$ 7,224,479$ 9,470,413$ 8,238,405$ 8,861,044$ 9,678,595$
Benefits-PERS 3,362,328$ 3,818,073$ 6,088,841$ 4,739,853$ 5,282,681$ 6,059,646$
Adjustments for Temporary & OT Salaries
Salaries 15,324,291$ 15,416,095$ 15,758,451$ 16,921,167$ 17,942,181$ 19,254,973$
Less:Temp Salaries (867,364) (869,152) (913,362) (811,194) (648,097) (881,908)
OT Salaries (436,917) (415,372) (545,427) (583,001) (707,046) (708,955)
14,020,010$ 14,131,571$ 14,299,662$ 15,526,972$ 16,587,038$ 17,664,110$
Year Over Year % Change
Based Upon Actuals Salaries 0.80%1.19%8.58%6.83%6.49%
Benefits 10.70%31.09%*-13.01%7.56%9.23%
SALARY CHANGE ANALYSIS
Total Change FY 14/15 to FY 19/20 3,644,100$
* Benefits impacted by Implementation Total % Change 25.99%
beginng in FY 2016/17 of Annual Change Unadjusted 5.20%
annual calculated Pension Expense
for Internal Service Funds as Total Change FY 14/15 to FY 19/20 3,644,100$
per provisions of GASB 68-. Less One-Time Equity Adjustments
(Accounting and Financial Reporting FY 18/19 & 19/20 (salary only)(1,558,864)$
for Pensions) Total Adjusted Change 2,085,236$
Total Five Year % Change Adjusted 14.87%
Annual Change Adjusted For One-Time Equity Adj.2.97%
BENEFITS CHANGE ANALYSIS
Total Change FY 14/15 to FY 19/20 3,152,499$
Total % Change 48.31%
Annual Change Unadjusted 9.66%
Total Change FY 14/15 to FY 19/20 3,152,499$
Less One-Time Equity Adjustments
FY 18/19 & 19/20 (benefits only) (580,321)$
Total Adjusted Change 2,572,178$
Total Five Year % Change Adjusted 39.41%
Annual Change Adjusted For One-Time Equity Adj.7.88%
PAGE 6 OF 8 SUBJECT: Finance Commission Budget Recommendations to the Town Council per Measure A DATE: May 11, 2021
DISCUSSION (continued):
In addition, the Commission received information from staff regarding current staffing
vacancies and associated savings if unfilled for six months.
The following recommendations are based on the Commission’s desire to slow the growth in
expenses in FY 2021/22 and reflect historic trends in expense assumptions in the Five-Year
Forecast:
Motion by Commissioner Park to freeze budgeted FTE’s at 145 for six months.
Seconded by Chair Ron Dickel.
Motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Chair Ron Dickel to use a 2% inflation factor for development of base
salary expenses for FY 2021/22 and the remaining forecast period, without implying
a particular outcome for negotiations with bargaining units. Seconded by Stacey
Dell.
Motion passed unanimously.
In addition, the Commission recommended the inclusion of a destination marketing allocation
into the budget to expedite the return of Transient Occupancy Tax revenues.
Motion by Chair Ron Dickel to allocate $55K to destination marketing utilizing ARPA
funds. Seconded by Loreen Huddleston.
Motion passed 4-0-1, Rick Tinsley abstained.
Operating Budget Balancing Recommendations
Based on the recommendation to divide Measure G proceeds evenly (50%/50%) between
eligible Operating and Capital uses, the Commission recommended utilizing anticipated Other
Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) actuarial contributions as the budget balancing strategy for FY
2020/21 through the forecast period. This recommendation would replace the proposed use of
Measure G allocations for eligible 100% Operating purposes.
Vacant Position Department Vacancy Date Salary Range Hourly Rate Current Status 6 Mos. Salary/Benefits Cost
1 Communications Dispatcher Police Dec-20 TEA - 14 $39.05 - $50.41 New employee scheduled to start in May 76,902$
2 Communications Dispatcher Police Jan-21 TEA - 14 $39.05 - $50.41 Background 76,902$
3 Communications Dispatcher Police Mar-21 TEA - 14 $39.05 - $50.41 Background 76,902$ 4 Communications Dispatcher Police Apr-21 TEA - 14 $39.05 - $50.41 Recruitment in progress 76,902$
5 Legal Administrative Assistant Town Attorney Jan-21 Conf - 02 $33.43 - $43.26 Dept Review of Applications 67,344$
6 Parks & Maintenance Worker*Parks & Public Works Oct-20 AFSCME - 05 $29.90 - $38.17 Interviews Scheduling 59,794$ 7 Police Officer Police Dec-20 POA - 02-0710 $48.90 New employee scheduled to start June - Police Officer Trainee 81,317$ 8 Police Officer Police Apr-21 POA - 02-0711 $51.47 - 62.57 Final stages of background 133,224$
*Recruitment Timeline Events:-Oral Board 12/8/20
-Invited 6, 3 no show
-2 offers extended, both declined
-Next Oral Board 5/13/21
PAGE 7 OF 8 SUBJECT: Finance Commission Budget Recommendations to the Town Council per Measure A DATE: May 11, 2021
DISCUSSION (continued):
Motion by Commissioner Rick Tinsley to cancel the FY 2020/21 and future years’
Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) actuarial contribution(s) to the extent
necessary to close, fund the CIP, increased salaries, and address uncertainties.
Seconded by Chair Ron Dickel.
Motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Commissioner Rick Tinsley to cancel the FY 2021/22 and future years’
Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) actuarial contribution(s) to the extent
necessary to close, fund the CIP, increased salaries, and address uncertainties.
Seconded by Chair Ron Dickel.
Motion passed unanimously.
Finance Commission Coming Year Workplan
During the current budget cycle deliberations, the Commission identified areas for continued
review in addition to specific work items already identified in Measure A. Following are the
highlights of anticipated Commission review in the coming year:
• Further review of expenses in the coming year to better understand the cost structure
of the organization.
• A review of revenue enhancements and cost containment strategies.
• A framework for capital project decision making should be developed to assess projects
through the lens of: recurring, upkeep, quality of life, mandate, and improvement.
• During budget discussions, a 36% decline in the liability Internal Service Fund was
identified and attributable to increases in settlements in insurance pool. In addition, a
73% decline in the workers compensation fund was attributable to increased
settlements. These and other Internal Service Funds and other reserve accounts will be
reviewed.
• Town Service Fees will be reviewed, including the Police Services for Monte Sereno.
• OPEB funding and expense will be reviewed for options to lower costs.
• Financial practices and policies will be reviewed.
• Key performance Indicators and Town Investments will be reviewed quarterly in
addition to the CAFR and Auditor reviews.
CONCLUSION:
Per Measure A this report provides written comments and recommendations to the Town
Council regarding the Commission’s review of the Proposed FY 2021/22 Operating and Capital
Budgets.
PAGE 8 OF 8 SUBJECT: Finance Commission Budget Recommendations to the Town Council per Measure A DATE: May 11, 2021
The Commission would like to express its thanks to the Town staff for their engagement in the
budget review process.
COORDINATION:
This staff report was coordinated with the Town Manager, Town Attorney, Director of Finance,
and Finance Commission Chair.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.