Financial Details
|
LEVY |
2016 |
2017 |
CHANGE |
% CHANGE |
|
Proposed Levy |
105,605,943 |
113,990,253 |
8,384,310 |
7.9% |
|
GENERAL FUND SPENDING |
2016 |
2017 |
CHANGE |
% CHANGE |
|
General Fund with Library |
257,447,395 |
267,249,384 |
9,801,989 |
3.8% |
|
TOTAL SPENDING |
2016 |
2017 |
CHANGE |
% CHANGE |
|
All Funds |
548,277,875 |
561,228,000 |
12,950,125 |
2.4% |
Highlights
Budgeting for equity while continuing the sound fiscal management of the past decade
- Proposing a General Fund Budget of $267 million, and an overall budget of $561 million, an increase of about 2.4 percent over 2016.
- Responsible budgeting that preserved 2016 funding levels, while bolstering strategic new investments in equity and public safety.
- The budget assumes a growth rate in the property tax levy that mirrors the 7.9 percent growth in our tax base.
- Innovation in every department, with an emphasis on transparency and data-informed change, using performance management and open data best practices.
Becoming the most workable city
- Continued support of small business growth and vitality, including $1.9 million in Neighborhood STAR funding and $750,000 in Commercial Vitality Zone projects.
- Expanded funding for Right Track, Saint Paul’s highly successful workplace readiness initiative that connects more than 600 Saint Paul youth with summer jobs and internships.
Commitment to equity and public safety
- Creation of a community engagement unit within the Saint Paul Police department that enhances partnerships with communities of color, including two additional outreach personnel.
- Continued expansion of the Fire Medic Cadet program, started in 2015, bringing on 4 more cadets in 2017 and meeting the original goal of hiring 12 cadets.
- Citywide investments in out-of-school time learning through culturally relevant and educationally rich programming in our Parks and Libraries, including $500,000 to redesign Rondo Library to better support our Homework Help Center, workforce programs, and designated areas for children and teen readers.
- Five additional police officers added to the Saint Paul Police Department, bringing the sworn complement to an historic high of 620, up from 576 when Mayor Coleman took office.
- $150,000 in permanent resources for the city’s Community Ambassadors program.
- Maintained daily staffing of 114 for the Saint Paul Fire Department.
Environmental sustainability
- A new recycling contract that reinforces Saint Paul’s commitment to recycling best practices.
- An increase of $227,000 above 2016 funding levels to augment the city’s efforts to combat Emerald Ash Borer.