Milpitas City Staff and Council are getting close to nailing down a budget for the next Fiscal Year 2018-2019, along with a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for 2018-2023.
On Thursday evening, May 10, a special meeting was called at Council Chambers; a public hearing was conducted, and council members had the opportunity to provide any further direction before they sit down at the upcoming June 5 council meeting to consider adoption of all related resolutions.
Finance Director Will Fuentes led the presentation, delving into everything from Gann Appropriation limits to staffing-related resolutions. Director of Recreation and Community Services Renee Lorentzen got up at one point to discuss the new title of a position that had sprung from Council’s direction. Titled a “Community Services Engagement and Inclusion Administrator,” the individual in this role would work actively to engage all residents and be a strong presence at all community events.
Lorentzen stressed that this person would need to understand how to get the word out about community events and happenings, have a sensitivity to nuances of different cultures, and have an ability to communicate both one-on-one and in groups.
At the end of the meeting, councilmembers expressed their gratitude to City Staff for all the work they’ve done in planning and all the new ways they’ve engaged Council and community members in the process. “I feel that what was brought before us really reflects what our community and our employees expect,” said Vice Mayor Marsha Grilli. “I really appreciate all the hard work you put in to changing the process and making it happen.”
If adopted on June 5, City’s total operating budget would be $191,055,583; a five-year 2018-2023 CIP would come in at $315,007,017.
