city manager message 8/2010

August 2010 –

Like most of you, our City has a budget and over the last few years, it has continued to dwindle.  Between a difficult economy, higher costs, and reduced revenues, budget planning has been challenging to say the least!  I wanted to provide you with a quick snapshot of your City’s financial picture and let you know where your hard-earned tax dollars are being spent in our City.

The City’s 2010-11 balanced budget became effective on July 1, 2010, and, as with every year of cityhood, was adopted on time.  It includes a 15% reserve fund totaling more than $10 million, as well as a $50.8 million capital improvement program budget, inclusive of $36 million in various grants the City has been awarded.

The City derives its funding from sales tax (we get one cent for every dollar spent in the City), from other taxes like property tax; from charges for service; from other agencies; and, we receive a portion of fees for some licenses and permits.

This year, the highlight of our capital improvement program budget is the new Old Town Newhall Library, currently under construction at Lyons and Main Street.  The new, two-story library is being built at a cost of $26 million.  More information about the library is available on our website at www.santa-clarita.com.  The City is also adding class two bikeway improvements, new landscaping and beautification projects, bridge maintenance and repair, a landscape water management program, a new cross country course at Central park, pedestrian improvements to Newhall Avenue, traffic improvements city-wide, and trails at East Walker Ranch.

The City of Santa Clarita currently has a hiring freeze and has eliminated about 32 positions (no layoffs).  I’m very proud of our City staff who continually working to do more with less, and regularly implement a wide variety of cost-cutting measures that help streamline our efficiency while providing a high level of customer service.

For your convenience, the City provides a complete copy of our annual budget on our website at: www.santa-clarita.com, should you wish to learn more.

Best regards,

Ken Pulskamp

Ken Pulskamp, City Manager

blogger bio

Ken Pulskamp is currently the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita. He has been with the City almost since its inception in 1987 and over the years has served as the Department Head of every City department. He became City Manager in 2002.

The City Manager, in conjunction with the City Council, establishes policies, provides leadership and implements efficient and effective municipal services. The City Manager establishes and maintains appropriate management controls to ensure that all operating departments adhere to and legally mandated policies and regulations. The City Manager also serves as the director of all City personnel, is responsible for the execution of City Council policy, the enforcement of all laws and ordinances, the preparation of the City’s annual budget, public information, and legislative relations.

Thank you for your interest in our great City! Should you wish to contact me directly, my email address is kpulskamp@santa-clarita.com.