Money was the throughline theme of the City Council meeting Tuesday as the council took action on the fiscal budget and Measure C.

The council adopted the biennial budget for the fiscal year of 2017-19 on June 27. In December, staff presented council revenue and expenditure adjustments to the budget for the fiscal year of 2017-18. The mid-year progress report was presented at the meeting, showcasing updated budget information associated with the General Fund and all funds for both fiscal years.

Several changes were made to the amended budget, such as including updates to various revenue projections and to various expenditure categories, including moving all Marina revenues and expenses into a separate enterprise fund rather than accounting for them in the General Fund for the fiscal year 2018-19.

Staff recommended council Adopt a resolution amending the fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19 total budgets as shown in the proposed amendments for a revised total budget of $94,802,385 and $76,286,221, respectively.

According to staff, the council’s adoption of the amended budgets, the 2017-18 and 2018-19 General Fund budgets will be $43,774,811 and $42,774,394 with the total budgets for All Funds for 2017-18 and 2018-19 being $94,802,385 and $76,286,221 respectively.

The council voted 5-0 to approve the agenda item. Future discussion on the budget will continue throughout the year.

Next on the council agenda was deciding what to do with funding from Measure C, the local sales tax initiative approved by Benicia voters in 2014.

Going into effect in 2015, the general tax and the monies collected are not restricted. The council may allocate any funds collected by Measure C as they desire.

A variety of projects have been completed under the first round of Measure C funding, including the replacement of two fire engines, replacing police vehicle cameras, renovating the playground at Benicia Community Park and replacing the railing at the First Street Promenade. Eight projects have been proposed for the second round of Measure C funding: removing the roof and repainting the Benicia Public Library, replacing the Francesca Terrace Park playground, installing security cameras at four areas throughout town, replacing the gazebo in City Park, conducting a needs assessment for the police station, a Park Road reconstruction project, adding surface slot drains on St. Augustine Court and resurfacing and repairing various streets. Of these, the security camera and St. Augustine projects have been completed. The remaining projects are expected to begin at some point in 2018.

Staff recommended the council adopt the proposed resolution allocating unprogrammed Measure C funds to new programs and projects.

The council unanimously voted to approve the Measure C funding. It will next meet on Tuesday, April 17.

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