Higher than projected taxable consumer spending in Manteca means the city will be able to hire its 67th police officer in April.
A mid-year budget review before the City Council when they meet on Tuesday includes fulfilling a request elected officials made in June for the city to hire an additional officer if revenue was exceeding projections and expenses were staying in line.
Finance Director Jerri Tejeda’s report on municipal general fund budget finances as of the end of January shows sales tax collections are running $238,000 ahead of projections. That’s a significant number in terms of economic activity as it represents 1 percent of taxable sales that are trending $2.38 million ahead of projections made in the current budget that went into effect July 1. The city originally anticipated they would collect $11,850,175 by June 30. If the increased trend in spending holds, Manteca will top $12 million in sales tax collection for the first time ever when the fiscal year ends June 30.
That would reflect $1.185 billion in taxable sales.
Sales tax accounts for 30 percent of the $39.3 in general fund revenue the city expects to collect this fiscal year. Property tax is the No. 1 source of revenue. It is still expected to come in at $15.6 million.
The $238,000 in additional sales tax revenue will be tapped to pay the $30,000 cost for three months of an entry level police officer’s salary. Another $75,000 will go toward an environmental review for the proposed family entertainment zone on city property adjacent to the proposed water park resort and hotel site. Employee salary classification and compensation will require $75,000, developing a strategic plan for information and technology has a $40,000 price tag, an audit of room tax collected by hotels will cost $15,000 and a district election demographic study $35,000.
A Manteca City Council budget study session for the upcoming 2018-2019 fiscal year will take place Tuesday, March 6, at 4 p.m. at the Civic Center council chambers, 1001 W. Center St.
It will include the 2018 fiscal year audit, a review of council goals, and a review of projects, prioritizing projects to make sure they are consistent with council goals, reviewing the current general fund reserve policy, and revisiting the California Public Employee Retirement System options.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com