The City of Lathrop received $640,000 less in Measure C funding because of the decline in sales tax revenue brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
But the city’s conservative budgeting practices and the council’s ongoing commitment to smart fiscal management meant that the city didn’t end up having to tap into coveted Measure C reserves.
Next week Lathrop’s oversight committee will meet to discuss the fiscal health of the funding mechanism that last year paid for more than 13 full-time public safety positions between Lathrop Police Services and the Lathrop Manteca Fire District – in addition to other essential city services and capital improvement projects.
According to the staff report prepared for the meeting – which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. inside of the council chambers at Lathrop City Hall, located at 390 Towne Centre Drive – the city spent only about 85 percent of the amount budgeted for the last fiscal year to offset the shortfall that was expected as a result of the decline in business and recreational travel.
Measure C funding was used to pay for:
*5.5 police positions including two community impact team (CIT) deputies, one administrative sergeant, one school resource officer, one detective, and one-half of a full-time traffic officer to supplement the city’s existing traffic (motorcycle) program. The city spends approximately $2.1 million annually to cover those costs.
*Operations and staffing as well as ongoing maintenance for the Lathrop Generations Center. Lathrop pays just over $348,000 for salaries at the generations center and just over $454,000 for ongoing maintenance and upkeep.
*Capital improvement projects including crime-deterrent cameras, the expansion of the Lathrop Generations Center parking lot, a lighted crosswalk at Spartan Way, and the design for improvements at Sangalang Park. This cost Lathrop just under $639,000 last year.
*6 firefighter-engineer positions for the Lathrop Manteca Fire District and 1.98 line battalion chiefs in addition to a rescue unit and an aerial ladder truck. Lathrop transferred 40 percent of Measure C funding, or $2.36 million, to the Lathrop Manteca Fire District to cover those costs.
As of June of last year – the start of the new fiscal year – Lathrop had just over $726,000 in Measure C reserves for essential city services with an equipment replacement fund of $85,000.
Despite the budget shortfalls, the reduction in spending – even with all of the things that Measure C funding has paid for – has prevented the city from having to tap into those reserves, which are approximately 25 percent of ongoing annual expenditures.
For additional information about Measure C or the upcoming report prepared or the independent oversight committee visit the City of Lathrop’s website at www.ci.lathrop.ca.us.
To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
