Budget Discussion Resumes Wednesday

The city council once again will take up discussion of the 2011-12 budget Wednesday, as it moves toward adopting the spending plan before the new fiscal that begins on July 1.

City Manager Belinda Espinosa has presented a tiered budget that establishes priorities for funding, such as police and fire services at the top. This is the fourth council meeting held exclusively for budget presentations and discussion.

The estimated general fund budget is $10.7 million, down from $14.5 million two years ago. The city faces the loss of its redevelopment agency if state legislators agree to eliminate such agencies as part of its budget cuts. The deadline for adoption of the state budget is Wednesday.

Pinole city staff have presented scenarios both with and without the continuation of the agency. Under redevelopment, cities are entitled to more sales and property tax revenues than would be the case without it. If the agencies are abolished, a larger percentage of those revenues would flow to schools and special districts.

Pinole has imposed numerous employee layoffs since December, and it has offered early retirement incentives and left some vacant jobs frozen. Ongoing labor negotiations are focused on concessions for pay and the percentage of money that employees pay toward their retirement plans. In May, Espinosa, Assistant City Manager Michelle Fitzer and City Clerk Patricia Athenour agreed to a .

The budget being considered contains increased user fees for some programs and services. The council has adopted as policy that senior center and recreation activities strive to become self-sustaining, with minimal or no general fund subsidies starting in fiscal 2012-13.

The 6 p.m. meeting will be in the City Council Chamber, 2131 Pear St. and will be carried live on Pinole TV Channel 26 and on streamed live on the TV station's Web page.