Modesto to discuss possible sales tax, pandemic relief funds at budget workshops
Modesto is holding workshops Tuesday through Thursday for its 2022-23 budget year, which starts July 1.
The workshops will include presentations about a potential sales tax measure for the November ballot, as well as the federal pandemic relief funding the city has and is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Modesto received nearly $22.9 million last year and expects to receive its second and final payment of nearly $22.9 million in May.
The workshops are Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. City Council members are expected to break for lunch noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
The city had not yet released any details or the proposed 2022-23 budget as of Friday. Modesto’s current operating budget is nearly $478 million. The general fund makes up about a third of the operating budget. The fund is critical because it primarily pays for public safety.
No final decisions will be made at the workshops, including on whether to go forward with a sales tax measure. Those decisions, including adopting the 2022-23 budget, will be made at future City Council meetings.
The council’s Finance Committee is holding the workshops. They will be held in the basement chambers of Tenth Street Place, 1010 10th St. The public also can watch or participate virtually. The workshops will be livestreamed and held over Zoom.
More information about how to watch or participate in person or virtually is available at www.modestogov.com/746/Standing-Committees-Agendas-Minutes by clicking on the link for each day’s agenda.
