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    Camarillo | City’s $136.2 Million Fiscal Year 2020/21 Budget Maintains Service Levels and Healthy Fund Balance

    Camarillo, California – On June 10, 2020, the Camarillo City Council adopted an operationally balanced $136.2 million annual budget for Fiscal Year 2020/21, to provide services and fund projects that are vital for the well-being of Camarillo residents.

    “A strong City Council Reserve Policy has enabled the accumulation of adequate reserves in the General Fund to help weather this economic crisis and position the City well  for the recovery phase” said Interim Finance Director Mark Uribe. The full effect of the sudden and unprecedented economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic will not be known for some time, but they will be significant.

    The highlights of the City’s Recommended Spending Plan are as follows:

    Public Safety: $18.2 Million. The City will continue to deliver high level law enforcement services through its contract with the County of Ventura Sheriff’s Department, allowing the City to maximize fiscal resources and provide effective police services. 

    Library Operations: $4.0 Million.  The popular Camarillo Public Library consistently experiences growth in the number of patrons, programs and collections offered, and continually strives to enhance library services and improve the customer experience.

    Community Service Grants and Community Support: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Council postponed funding for Community Service Grants and the eligible organizations, and eliminated funding for most City-sponsored programs and annual community events such as the Fourth of July Celebration, Fiesta, Summer Concerts Series, and the Wings Over Camarillo Air Show. The Holiday Parade and Senior Meals on Wheels will continue to be sponsored in FY 2020/21.

    Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program: $426,972. The CDBG federal funding allocations for FY 2020/21 support programs for seniors and youth, and housing rehabilitation programs. An additional $192,000 in funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was allocated to the City for activities that prevent and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, for a program total of $619,072.

    Citywide Lighting, Landscape & Street Maintenance: $6.2 Million.  The City will continue to maintain streets, lighting, and landscaping to ensure an aesthetically pleasing environment.

    Capital Projects Planned: $41.0 Million. The City plans and pre-funds capital projects over five years, thus ensuring that when a project is scheduled to begin it has the funding available to move forward. The FY 2020/25 Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) adopted on June 10, 2020, is comprised of sixty-seven projects including, but are not limited to:

    • Transportation Improvements: $5.2 Million. Several projects to improve City streets are planned, including: continuation of the annual pavement maintenance program; Earl Joseph Drive Paving; Daily Drive Sidewalk & Gutter Replacement, Metrolink Undercrossing, Springville Bike Path – Phase 1, Traffic Signal Improvements at Las Posas and Temple, and Pleasant Valley Road Bike Lane.
    • Water Repairs/Improvements: $26.1 Million. Various projects are planned, including: North Pleasant Valley Groundwater Desalter; Reclaimed Water Storage Reservoir; Advanced Metering Infrastructure; and, Coating for Reservoir No. 3.
    • Sewer Improvement Projects: $7.8 Million. Various projects are planned, including: Aeration Basin Baffle Wall, Conejo Creek Bank Repair at Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sewer Improvements per Sewer System Management Plan; Pleasant Valley Road Sewer Forcemain; Plant 3 Blower Improvements- Phase 1; and, Flood Improvements at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

    General Fund: $40.2 Million. The General Fund accounts for the revenues and expenditures related to various general municipal services provided, such as police, public works, community development, library services and City administrative services.  The overall General Fund spending plan was reduced to match revenue reductions. A total General Fund budget of $40.2 million, includes transfers out to the Citywide Lighting/Landscape Maintenance Fund ($1,848,357) and Library Debt Service Fund ($491,282). The General Fund projected fund balance at June 30, 2020, is $64.0 million. General Fund revenues, including transfers in, are projected at $40.7 million, which equates to a $2.3 million decrease from FY 2019/20 levels. The economic shutdown is projected to have lingering impacts on several of the major revenues. Sales Tax revenue projections of $13.1 million for FY 2020/21 reflect a reduction of 2.1% from pre-COVID level. Transient Occupancy Tax decrease of 2.1% in FY 2020/21 is attributed to COVID-19 travel restrictions and forced closures of retail stores and adjusted from the FY 2019/20 reduced levels. 

    Enterprise Funds. Operating Revenues and expenditures are consistent with prior year trends.

    • Solid Waste Fund budget ($7.6 Million) provides for collection of solid waste, yard waste, composting, and curbside recycling services to 18,028 customers.
    • Transit Fund budget ($3.3 Million) provides for operating the City’s transit system, including Fixed Route and Dial-A-Ride services. CARES Act funding in the amount of $3.7 million has been allocated to the City and will fund the full FY 2020/21 $3.3 million Transit operation.
    • Water Utility Funds budget ($46.9 Million) provides for the City’s water services and associated maintenance to approximately 13,300 customers.  This fund is fully self-supporting and derives the majority of its revenue from ratepayers.
    • Camarillo Sanitary District is a separate governmental entity that provides sewer services for approximately 14,919 residential and commercial customers within its boundaries, with a budget of $21.4 million. 

    The Reserve Policy goals for the majority of funds will be met or exceeded in FY 2020/21, providing the City a cushion against COVID-19 impact on revenues, while maintaining effective and efficient municipal services and a high quality of life for the citizens of Camarillo.

    “We have an operationally balanced budget for FY 2020/21 and we have some structural imbalance issues we are going to have to address in the next year, but the City is strong financially,” said Mayor Tony Trembley.


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