MORENO VALLEY>> Moreno Valley City Council has recently approved the City’s two-year budget, which will continue to preserve the fiscal strength of the City while funding key services to protect and enhance our community and increasing the City’s capital investments. Fully balanced, the Budget does not draw upon financial reserves or one-time monies to sustain ongoing services.
The two-year budget was based on the City’s “Momentum MoVal” strategic plan, addressing community priorities while maintaining a balanced budget. The two-year budget marks the sixth straight year of achieving balanced spending plans for Moreno Valley, which was recently ranked as one of the nation’s top fiscally strong cities.
Momentum MoVal focuses on six priorities: Economic Development, Public Safety, Infrastructure, Library, Beautification/Community Engagement/Quality of Life, and Youth Programs.
In approving the budget, the City Council directed funding to put more police officers and firefighters on the streets, open the City’s first satellite library and boost Economic Development programs which have already added more than 9,000 jobs over the last three years.
The Council also increased funding for the City’s Employment Resource Center to promote local hiring to put even more Moreno Valley residents back to work.
“The City of Moreno Valley has been recognized as one of the nation’s most fiscally responsible cities. This budget continues that proud tradition,” said Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez. “We continue to provide a high level of service to our residents, business owners and visitors while enhancing the quality of life for everyone.”
Moreno Valley’s budget indicates the local economy continues to steadily improve with strong gains reported in property and sales tax revenues, with the local employment rate increasing to nearly 95 percent.
During the last few years, the City has seen a significant resurgence of property values as the overall health of the housing market continues to thrive.
Moreno Valley home prices have gone up 8 percent over the last year and are predicted to increase another 4.9 percent over the next year. This growth will continue to provide property tax revenues for essential community services.
Although declining gasoline prices have reduced Gas Tax revenues that fund street reconstruction and other capital projects, more funding is on the way. Recent passage of Senate Bill 1 will allow the City to restore funding to those and other transportation-related projects throughout Moreno Valley.
Other budget highlights include:
- Two additional patrol deputies to increase the ratio to .75 officers per 1,000 residents
- $1.2 million to add a new fire squad and 6 new positions to help meet increased demands for emergency medical response
- Increased City oversight and administration of the police and fire services contracts
- $750,000 in start-up costs to open a 4,800 square foot satellite public library by December 2017 and $475,000 in ongoing annual costs
- Two additional code compliance officers to enhance the community livability
- Increased staffing for the City’s award-winning Economic Development Department to attract more national and international companies to Moreno Valley
Input from the community provided through the prior development of the “Momentum MoVal” strategic plan, Study Sessions, Town Hall meetings and participants who provided feedback through the City’s online Balancing Act program, ensured that the spending plan reflects community priorities.