Balancing the General Fund Budget and restoring reserves.

By Helene Schneider

The City must balance its General Fund budget and restore operational reserves. My background in human resources management will bring needed expertise in reviewing organizational structure and building a solid fiscal foundation.

Through careful planning, all other city funds are balanced and meet its reserve policies, including the Airport, Streets, Water and Wastewater funds, the Waterfront, Solid Waste, and the Creeks Division.

Like many local public agencies and private and non-profit businesses, the City is faced with making budget cuts. Our financial decisions must be aligned with our community's values. When considering various options, I first refer to what I consider to be "non-negotiable" expenses that should not be reduced. They are:

• Firefighter & Sworn police officer positions;
• Successful City recreational programs focusing on at-risk youth; and
• Human services funding used for contracts with non-profit agencies that provide safety net services, such as food, emergency shelter and violence prevention.

Third, there are opportunities where the City can create new or enhance existing partnerships with other agencies that can save costs while also preserving services. For example, the City Parks Department can coordinate volunteer park clean-up days with Looking Good Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Beautiful, and Pesticide Awareness & Alternatives Coalition, thus ensuring that our parks stay toxic pesticide-free.

Finally, the City can lead the way towards implementing new state legislation that provides the upfront capital for residential and commercial property owners who want to install solar panels. Known as AB 811, this opportunity will provide local jobs and enhanced sales tax revenue while also reducing our energy costs.