Elk Grove’s $374 million budget has gone to effect. What’s going into the budget?
Elk Grove has a balanced $374 million budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year starting in July.
The city budget — a 7% increase from last year — is expected to prioritize public safety, affordable housing, addressing homelessness, traffic safety, economic development and providing funding for city council priority projects.
Some of those priorities include Project Elevate (aka the Civic Center North Master Plan), the light rail master plan, relocation and expansion of the Elk Grove Library and the new zoo.
The Elk Grove City Council last week unanimously approved the budget, which includes $92.4 million of the city’s general fund budget — a 4% increase from last year. According to a letter from the city’s finance department, the increase mainly stems from adding new full-time positions, salary and benefit increases, operational cost increases and equipment purchases.
“There is much to celebrate with this budget and the city’s strong fiscal health,” Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen said in a news release. “We all know that is not the case for the state or many cities in California who are facing very serious budget woes and looking at cutting services and positions. This budget will continue to benefit our residents and support Elk Grove’s quality of life.”
The budget allows for 15 new positions, which include four Measure E-funded positions and seven contractor positions promoted to city staff positions.
The budget will expand the Elk Grove Police Department by adding two dispatch supervisors, jobs related to training and commercial vehicle enforcement and new positions on its youth services team.
“The budget reflects our investments in public safety, maintaining or keeping a handle on our homeless population, bolstering and maintaining infrastructure, and securing economic development communities for the city,” Councilmember Darren Suen said in last week’s council meeting.
According to a city news release, the city will maintain a 25% reserve, or “rainy day fund,” to help with any cash flow needs in case of emergency or economic uncertainty.
The city council also continues to fund the city’s opportunity reserve, fully funded at 5% of adjusted appropriations, according to a news release.
The reserve funds provide flexibility to fund projects, acquisitions, unforeseen events and community needs.
