Modesto starting its budget hearings

The City Council’s budget hearings begin Wednesday evening for Modesto’s proposed $367 million operating budget for its 2015-16 fiscal year, which starts July 1.

Much of the focus will be on the $113.6 million general fund, which primarily pays for police and fire services. Officials are proposing to use about $6 million in reductions and one-time revenue to balance the fund. For instance, the city wants to use $1.6 million in one-time money to keep Fire Station No. 6 open in the upcoming fiscal year.

The council’s Finance Committee is holding the hearings, which will continue Thursday. A Friday hearing could be held if needed.

Mayor Garrad Marsh is expected to lay out his case for why he believes the city needs a one-half percent general sales tax, which he says would primarily pay for public safety. He has proposed a general tax, rather than a dedicated public safety tax.

Marsh has said he does not believe a dedicated tax could get the two-thirds voter support required to pass, while a general tax requires a simple majority but can be used for any general government purpose. Marsh has said that if a general tax is placed on the ballot and passes, Modesto’s intent would be to use the tax primarily for police and fire services. A dedicated tax can be used only for its stated purpose, such as transportation, public safety or libraries.

The mayor’s proposal comes after voters rejected Measure X – a 1 percent general sales tax increase – in the November 2013 election. That tax measure was to be used for public safety and other city needs.

Wednesday’s budget hearing starts at 5 p.m. in the basement chambers of Tenth Street Place, 1010 10th St. Thursday’s hearing will be in the same location and starts at 9 a.m. The public can comment during the hearings.

The proposed budget can be reviewed by going to www.modestogov.com/fin/budget and then clicking on the View the FY 2015-16 Operating Budget link.

This story was originally published May 5, 2015 at 11:02 PM with the headline "Modesto starting its budget hearings."