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Fiscal Year 2021/22 Budget Development

Development of the Fiscal Year 2021/22 city budget is currently in process. Citizens are encouraged to participate in the budget development process by attending upcoming meetings where the proposed budget will be discussed, following by Council adoption of the budget in June 2021. All meetings are currently virtual, with public comment available by telephone. Go to https://riversideca.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx to watch a meeting and obtain information on how to participate. Public meeting dates and times related to the Fiscal Year 2021/22 budget are:

March 15, 2021	6:30PM	Parks & Recreation Commission (Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department budget)
March 22, 2021	6:30PM	Board of Public Utilities (Riverside Public Utilities preliminary budget)
March 24, 2021	3:00PM	Museum of Riverside Board (Museum Department preliminary budget)
March 31, 2021	5:00PM	Budget Engagement Commission – Special Meeting (City Department budget presentations)
April 8, 2021	5:00PM	Budget Engagement Commission – Special Meeting (City Department budget presentations)
April 12, 2021	5:00PM	Board of Library Trustees (Library Department preliminary budget)
April 15, 2021	5:00PM	Budget Engagement Commission – Regular Meeting (City Department budget presentations)
April 19, 2021	8:00AM	City Council Budget Workshop (City Department budget presentations)
May 13, 2021	5:00PM	Budget Engagement Commission – FY 2021-2022 Proposed Budget
May 18, 2021		City Council – FY 2021-2022 Proposed Budget
June 10, 2021	5:00PM	Budget Engagement Commission – FY 2021-2022 Final Budget
June 22, 2021		City Council – Adoption of the FY 2021-2022 Annual Budget

FY 2020-2021 Emergency Budget

On June 16, 2020, the City Council adopted a one-year $1.2 billion emergency budget, inclusive of a $110 million capital project budget. The adopted General Fund budget is $271.4 million, a decrease of $7.7 million as compared to the FY 2019-2020 amended budget adopted by the City Council on June 18, 2019. In response to COVID-19, General Fund projected revenues were reduced by 10% ($28.1 million), and multiple balancing measures were incorporated, including: $15.7 million targeted vacancy savings; $7 million savings in pension costs resulting from the issuance of a Pension Obligation Bond; sustained Measure Z support levels and use of unspent contingency funds; and the use of Section 115 Trust funds to pay a portion of the annual required CALPERS UAL payment.

COVID-19 Response and Next Steps

Immediately upon the declaration of the local emergency, the City restricted all spending to emergency and essential needs and suspended personnel recruitment. The City continues to seek all available state and federal funding to help the City government, local businesses, and residents with the impacts of the pandemic. Periodic fiscal updates will be provided to the City’s applicable boards and commissions and to City Council as more information becomes available. Adjustments to the adopted emergency budget will be recommended as the fiscal impact of the COVID-19 emergency on City finances becomes more apparent. The City is also taking immediate action to pursue a new budgeting methodology referred to as Priority Based Budgeting. This methodology will allow the City to be more nimble in response to fiscal emergencies. Additionally, the methodology facilitates the alignment of monetary and personnel resources to services and programs that align with the City’s strategic goals. This is the next important step in fiscal transparency and public engagement in the budget process.