Modesto OKs budget review panel

The Modesto City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved Mayor Ted Brandvold’s request to form a committee to conduct a 100-day review of the city budget.

The council also unanimously passed a resolution stating as a general policy that Modesto will avoid nonessential spending during the balance of the current budget year, while the review is being conducted. The budget year ends June 30.

Brandvold, who was elected in the Feb. 2 mayoral runoff election, promised voters he would conduct the budget review. He hopes to find money that can be redirected to public safety, primarily hiring more police officers. He has said that even if the review does not find money it can help restore trust in how the city spends money.

The committee will review the proposed 2016-17 budget, which starts July 1, focusing on the city’s roughly $115 million general fund, which primarily pays for public safety. The meetings will be subject to the state’s open-meeting laws, called the Brown Act, which means they will be open to the public.

The 14-member committee is expected to report its findings and recommendations. Its work will coincide with the city’s preparation of the 2016-17 budget, which will include council hearings in May.

Committee members include top executives from the area, including Doctors Medical Center CEO Warren Kirk and retired Sutter Health regional President David Benn. C.L. Bryant Inc. CEO Chuck Bryant is committee chairman. Brandvold and council members Kristi Ah You and Mani Grewal also are on the panel.

Community Hospice CFO Rick Dahlseid is a committee member. The Bee incorrectly reported in a previous story that he is the hospice’s CEO.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 2:51 PM with the headline "Modesto OKs budget review panel."