It will cost City of Ripon $50,092 to cover expenses related to the 2027 Almond Blossom Festival.

The cost is among $475,000 Ripon incurs in terms of contributions and the cost of supporting other organizations from its $40.3 million overall annual spending plan adopted last week.

City Administrator Kevin Werner made the notation during the council meeting in an effort to help people understand where their money goes.

Payments to other organizations run the gamut from the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, Ripon Unified for pool use to operate the city’s swim programs, and the Ripon Historical society meeting to the library.

Such payments and costs impact the general fund portion of the budget that accounts for $18.7 million in expenses to pay for day-to-day municipal services such as police, street maintenance, and park upkeep.

The balance of the budget covers road pavement projects, special funds such as federal community development grants, restricted fees collected on growth, landscape and lighting districts, and enterprise accounts — water, garbage, and sewer — where ratepayers are charged for the services used.

Of the $19 million in general fund revenue, property tax covers only $2.2 million of the tab.

The City of Ripon — like all other cities – receives only between 14 and 17 percent of every property tax dollar homeowners pay.

Just over half goes to schools with the county getting more than 20 percent. The balance is divided between the Delta College district and South San Joaquin Irrigation District to smaller concerns like mosquito abatement and vector control.

Sales tax, at just over $4 million annually, is the largest source of general fund revenue.

Payments to — and support

of — outside organizations

The $50,092 costs attributed to the Almond Blossom festival includes $36,879 in salaries and benefits.

The biggest chunk is $20,000 in overtime incurred by city personnel, particularly police, needed to stage the annual event.

The Stockton-San Joaquin Library represents an annual $114,108.

Participating cities provide the space and cover building utilities, maintenance, and upkeep. The utilities bill alone is $50,000 annually.

The library system generally provides staffing and the collection.

Cities can opt to have more staffing by kicking in additional funding which Ripon does to the tune of $14,692 for salary and benefits. Typically, city contributions allow for extended hours, additional days, or additional services.

Lodi is the only city in San Joaquin County with its own library.

The Ripon Museum represents a $33,157 annual cost.

That represents $16,107 in salary and benefits with the rest for operating costs with the largest item being $13,000 for utilities.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com