Sacramento Budget and Audit Committee Meeting - May 28, 2024

On May 28, 2024, the Sacramento Budget and Audit Committee met at City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 11:03 AM and adjourned at 11:35 AM. Committee members present: Eric Guerra, Karina Talamantes, Mai Vang, and Darrell Steinberg (arrived at 11:07). The committee approved a consent calendar of four fiscal reports and discussed two major items: Measure U Community Advisory Committee budget recommendations and a councilmember proposal for a shuttle program for Sutter Health Park events.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Fiscal Year 2022/23 Single Audit Report – Accepted and forwarded to City Council for approval.
• Item 2: FY 2022/23 Sacramento City Employees’ Retirement System Annual Financial Report – Accepted and forwarded to City Council.
• Item 3: FY 2022/23 Transportation Development Act Fund Audited Financial Statements and Compliance Report – Received and filed.
• Item 4: City Auditor’s Activity Report for 3rd Quarter FY 2023/24 – Accepted and forwarded to City Council. All consent items passed on a single motion with votes from Members Guerra, Talamantes, and Vang (Mayor Steinberg absent at time of vote).

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 6 (Shuttle Proposal): Robert Copeland questioned how the city would fund the shuttle program, expressing concern about cuts to youth programs and stating the proposal seemed insufficiently thought out.
• On Matters Not on the Agenda: Keon Bliss asked about the budget schedule, noting that the final review was now moved directly to the June 11 City Council meeting without a prior Budget and Audit Committee review, and requested the website be updated. A speaker (on behalf of Annette Emory) read a letter emphasizing the importance of road safety, opposing cuts to veteran services (notably the cancellation of the "Stand Down" event), recommending canceling costly movie nights in the park in favor of family activities, and suggesting using volunteer gardeners for community gardens instead of staff.

Discussion Items

5. Measure U Community Advisory Committee Follow-up Recommendations on FY 2024/25 Budget Priorities

• Committee Chair Marjorie Dickinson and Vice Chair Marbeya Salah presented five recommendations:
  1. Prioritize equity and historically underinvested communities (already reflected in the mayor’s budget letter).
  2. Allocate $1 million for a second round of participatory budgeting.
  3. Provide $16,000 to convene two community focus groups (building on 500 survey respondents who expressed interest).
  4. Use the city’s racial equity tool in budget decisions (implementation already underway).
  5. Support the mayor’s May 17 budget letter.
• Councilmembers Vang, Steinberg, and Guerra expressed support for recommendations 1, 3, 4, and 5. Mayor Steinberg and Councilmember Guerra stated they could not support recommendation 2 ($1 million) this year due to budget constraints, but committed to exploring focus groups and improved community engagement in future cycles.
• The committee voted to forward recommendations 1, 3, 4, and 5 to the full City Council for consideration on June 11, 2024. Recommendation 2 was not forwarded.

6. Councilmember Proposal: 3-Year Shuttle Program for Sutter Health Park Events

• Councilmember Guerra proposed directing staff to work with regional transit partners (e.g., RT, JIBE, 50 TMA) to examine a shuttle program from city parking structures to Sutter Health Park during A’s, River Cats, and other events, starting spring 2025. Goals: reduce vehicle miles traveled, traffic congestion, promote transit, and support local businesses.
• Councilmembers Vang, Steinberg, and Talamantes voiced support, emphasizing the need for no fiscal impact to the city and cross-jurisdictional collaboration.
• The committee voted unanimously to direct staff to commence work and bring the proposal back to the committee for future review.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar items 1–4 approved (3-0 vote).
• Measure U recommendations 1, 3, 4, and 5 forwarded to City Council for final consideration on June 11, 2024. Recommendation 2 (participatory budgeting $1M) was held in committee.
• Staff directed to examine a 3-year shuttle program for Sutter Health Park events and return to the Budget and Audit Committee.
• The meeting adjourned at 11:35 AM.