City Releases Line-Item Breakdown of 2012-13 City Budget

The city of West Hollywood has released a line-item breakdown of its 2012-2013 budget which the City Council approved at its June 18 meeting.

The 72-page document offers detailed breakdown of expenses by department including everything from FICA and Medicare payments to postage and telephone expenses.

The budget shows $68 million in spending from the general fund and another $30 million from other funds for a total $98 million.

The line-item breakdown offers greater insights into how the city will spend its money than the initial 273-page budget presented. That budget faced at the June 18 Council meeting for lacking details and reading like a year-end report.

The city has also released 50 pages of supplemental material to that 273-page initial budget. Those 50 additional pages are at the end of the above linked document. The supplemental material includes an index, a glossary of terms, detailed fiscal policies and a comparison of budgets to Beverly Hills, Culver City and Santa Monica, among other things.

At its June 18 meeting, the City Council also indicated 25 budget items that need further discussion and consideration. These items will be discussed at the City Council meeting set for Monday, July 16 in the Council Chamber in the West Hollywood Library.

Those 25 items are:

Operating Expenditures:
1) Add funding to update the Vision 2020 document to a Vision 2040 document
2) Add funding for rental property owners to make improvements to existing residential properties (such as 0% interest revolving loans)
3) Add funding for a loan program for residents needing emergency funding to avoid evictions and homelessness
4) Add funding for training of staff and social services agencies to increase fundraising efforts
5) Double the increase to social services funding to $500,000
6) Add funding for enhancement and improvement of the Farmers’ Market Program
7) Increase funding for the arts (possibly doubling City’s current funding)
8) Add funding for a Melrose Specific Plan, transportation plans and mobility plans
9) Add funding for traffic studies and traffic issues
10) Increase funding for bicycle programs
11) Increase funding for transportation improvements and traffic improvements
12) Add funding to evaluate the lighting issues on Palm Avenue

Capital Expenditures:
13) Add funding for improvements to 1343 N. Laurel Avenue (Tara)
14) Add funding to purchase additional properties in the City (such as loaning General Funds to the Quimby Fund)
15) Add funding for improvements to Los Angeles County Fire Station #8
16) Defer the feasibility study of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station until after a public meeting is held

Work Plan Additions (No New Funding Required):
17) Coordinate the collaboration of One City One Pride with Christopher Street West
18) Strengthen the Finance Department
19) Provide an update on the policy for collecting delinquent taxes and fees
20) Engage the City’s commissions and boards in the budget and funding process
21) Create additional ways to reach the public, such as webinars
22) Strengthen technology to make the City more efficient and as a way to save funds
23) Look for additional space for social services agencies and arts programs in the City
24) Prioritize the studies that help us come into compliance so that we are eligible for grant funding
25) Invest in the City’s long-time planning future, particularly infrastructure