Ripon in the next three years will need to either increase the $42 per home lighting district assessment or find other revenue to help keep the lights on.
It is one of the identified challenges in Ripon’s proposed operating and capitol budget for the fiscal year that started July 1.
The budget — which is balanced, funds all debt service obligations, and funds critical deferred maintenance items — is before the City Council when they meet Tuesday, July, 14, at 6 p.m.
The budget’s highest profile project will be $3 million to place traffic signals at North Ripon Road and River Road using state grant funds.
The city converted the roundabout to a four-way stop years ago.
The roundabout was the site of a fatal crash in June 2012 when a 34-year-old Stockton motorcyclist slammed into it traveling a speed estimated to be in excess of 100 mph and was thrown 150 feet.
Other challenges and new needs addressed in the proposed spending plan include:
*Adding an additional full-time maintenance worker for the city’s water supply and distribution state due to state regulatory requirements and more complex water treatment systems. The new position represents a $105,000 cost to the water fund.
*Hiring a second part-time police secretary at a cost of $35,000 to the general fund to assist with record management tasks as well as filling in when police administrative personnel take time off.
*Given fuel sales generate the largest chunk of sales tax that accounts for 22 percent of the general fund that covers day-to-day municipal services such as streets and police, the city needs to develop other commercial sources to generate sales tax as the state moves toward a goal of transitioning new car sales to being 100 percent non-fossil powered by 2035.
*Evaluating the annexation of property west of Jack Tone Road across from the Tractor Supply development for commercial development opportunities.
*$2 million improvement project for the community center and baseball fields.
*$1 million for sludge removal at the wastewater treatment plant.
*$1 million for resurfacing of two miles of River Road.
*$1.1 million for work on two water wells and water tower repair.
*$500,000 to create a master plan for the development of the west side of Ripon.
*$100,000 to replace a police patrol vehicle.
*$25,000 to paint the exterior trim of city hall.
*$30,000 for a building department vehicle.
*$50,000 to update 10 MESH cameras.
*$15,000 to update four license plate readers.
*$40,000 for a police vehicle radio and five portable radios.
*$15,000 for a plan check table for online plan checks in the building department.
*20,000 for up to 12 desktop computers.
Lighting district challenge
The Ripon Lighting District was transferred from San Joaquin County to the City in 2005.
The fund balance of the district started nearly $300,000 in the negative after various capital expenses and purchasing certain lights from PG&E.
A bond was also approved to switch out City-owned lights from high pressure sodium to induction to save expenses on energy and maintenance. The last bond payment for the debt was made in the 2021-22 fiscal year.
When the lighting district was established in 2005, the voters approved a parcel tax of $42 per single family equivalent. This parcel tax did not include an index so the annual revenue collected each year would keep up with inflation.
The projected fund balance at the end of the current fiscal year that started July 1 is projected to be just over $100,000.
The assessments used to fund the operations of the lighting district will need to be increased within the next three years or another funding source identified to supplement the operational deficit to continue to provide a balanced budget, as well as fund capital replacement needs of the lighting district and ensure a sufficient reserve balance is available.
Other budget notes
Employee salaries and benefits make up 55 percent of the city’s operating expenses.
The city currently has 92 full-time employees.
As a result of the Great Recession and the significant decline in revenue that was being experienced between 2008 and 2012, 17 full-time staff positions were eliminated or not filled after an employee’s separation from the City.
Since that time, there has been a focus on improving the efficiency of the existing work force before adding new staff positions by investing in technology that makes staff more efficient, maximizing the organizational structure to serve the public needs, and using consultants to complete short-term needs.
Sixteen positions have been added since the Great Recession ended. Ripon now has one less employee than it did 16 years ago.
The city’s general fund for day-to-day operations excluding sewer, water, and solid waste collection is projected to reach $21.7 million this year, compared to $20.2 million in 2025-2026.
The beginning cash balance on July 1 was $7.9 million, the same Ripon anticipates ending the current fiscal year with on June 30, 2027.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
