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Budget Investment Technology 2022/06/15200 S. Anaheim Boulevard Anaheim, California 92805 P.O. Box 3222 Anaheim, California 92805 TEL (714)765-5195 FAX (714) 765-5260 www.anaheim.net City of Anaheim FINANCE DEPARTMEAT June 15, 2022 TO THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL: The Budget, Investment and Technology Commission (Commission) is pleased to have the opportunity to provide you with its comments and recommendations concerning the City's proposed annual budget. The Commission (previously known as the Budget Advisory Commission) was established by the City Council in 1991. This Commission is charged with the examination of the City's financial condition, policies, and procedures, as well as the review of the annual budget proposed by the City Manager pursuant to Section 1.04.996 of Chapter 1.04 of Title 1 of the Anaheim Municipal Code. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 proposed budget marks the thirty-first proposed annual budget the Commission has had the opportunity to review. The Commission's first meeting of FY 2021/22 was in August 2021. Throughout the year the Commission heard presentations from various City departments. The Commission received monthly Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) reports and periodic updates on the current year budget. The City Council approved several successful programs to help residents during the economic challenges of the pandemic. As the economy recovers, the Commission recommends that the City continue programs that increase access to and usage of City resources by residents without substantially increasing costs. Examples would include increased outreach to residents regarding available City services and the promotion of the City's technology platform. The Commission also recommends that the City provide increased educational programs for the City's youth and community members that do not necessarily require the purchase of additional equipment. The Commission would like to stress the importance of maintaining safe streets and City's infrastructure programs. The Commission notes that the FY 2022/23 budget includes a significant increase in funds for previously -deferred maintenance projects. Deferring maintenance and repair programs increases the likelihood of greater costs to the City, so the Commission recommends that these increased funds be directed to urgent maintenance and repair programs, especially for the most deteriorated streets, to the extent possible. ITEM # 02 The Commission is supportive of the increase to the Police Department's budget above pre - pandemic levels and the authorization of 26 additional positions, which brings the department back to pre -Great Recession positions. We recommend further increasing the Police Department's budget and positions due to the community's continually growing need for police services. We applaud the Police Department's youth and community outreach programs. Additionally, the Commission requests a quarterly review of the Fire Department budget in light of anticipated higher levels of wildfires during summer and fall of this year. The Commission recognizes the considerable effort that City departments have focused upon Federal and State financial grants and recommends that this effort not only continue but also expand. Additional oversight responsibilities in this area should be given to a specific City Department to help all departments strategize on needs and resources for prospective grants. The Commission recommends that the Library Services budget be increased in order to have full service for all public library branches, as the Great Recession budget cuts have not been fully restored. We congratulate the City, Library, and staff for receiving the Library of the Year award. The Commission recommends annual or term basis reviews of all city contracts to determine if the contracts are meeting key performance indicators, which would ensure expenditures of taxpayer dollars are being matched by defined expectations. In order to energize the City's economic recovery, help Anaheim residents, assist recovering businesses, and strengthen the City's budget, the Commission recommends several efforts to help continue restoring and growing the economy. An example of this would include soliciting ideas to recover and expand Anaheim's economy through new development and partnerships. With the large number of jobs and businesses that depend on the Convention Center, the Commission urges the continued pursuit and growth of the number of high -profile conventions to increase City revenue. The Commission recommends expanding the funding and goals of the Anaheim Economic Development Team to bring additional growth to the city, including outreach programs, partnerships, and incentives to attract new businesses and retain existing businesses. Anaheim has made great strides in improving its investment in our City parks. To the extent possible, we should seek to protect this progress by the continued investment in improving park aesthetics and increasing park amenities like shade, playgrounds, and greenery. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Anaheim and grateful for the time and information provided by City staff. The Commission hereby recommends that the budget for FY 2022/23 be adopted as proposed with the revisions suggested above. Respectfully submitted, ANAHEIM BUDGET, INVESTMENT AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSI Johh"Noteboom, Chair Mr. Christopher Nguyen, Vice Chair Mr. Rajesh Arora Mr. Paul D'Allura Mr. Jorge Gavino Mr. David Klawe