SANTA CLARA – City officials passed a $4.47 million budget for the city’s general fund and set the date for an open house on planned development in the South Hills area Wednesday.
The budget, which was passed at a regular meeting of the Santa Clara City Council, includes a 5.4 percent average wage increase for employees of the city.
“It’s the first time there’s been an across-the-board increase since 2012 for employees,” assistant city manager and finance director Brock Jacobsen said.
The city saw modest growth in general fund revenues during fiscal year 2017 and the budget reflects modest growth in budgeted revenues.
However, the city did not see the commercial growth around Harmons that was expected.
City officials anticipate continued residential home growth with the new subdivisions now in the development process. The budget estimates a 3 percent increase in property tax revenues and a decrease of 9.5 percent in sales tax.
The city power department has one major project budgeted for the year – the $300,000 South Hills transmission line. The budget for the city’s storm water fund increased 51 percent over the previous year due mainly to work on the landslide stabilization project.
Read more: City tears down homes in slide area, work on hillside set to begin
Projects for next year include the design of a new Chapel Street Bridge, finishing up the west side of Gubler Park, and the design of the Stucki Heritage Park.
The budget can be viewed here or on the Santa Clara City website.
A public hearing to discuss amending the city’s 2016-2017 budget has been set for Wednesday, June 28, at 5 p.m.
In other business, the council approved a new classification of “full-service restaurant” liquor license.
The new license would allow the sales of beer, wine and hard liquor and is expected to be applied for by Harmons in conjunction with the grocery store’s cooking school.
Read more: ‘Wonderland of food’; Harmons grocery holds grand opening
Currently, the city only has beer and beer and wine licenses. City ordinances allow one liquor license per 1,000 residents, not counting retail outlets. Currently there is only one liquor license in the city, held by The Granary.
Read more: City approves liquor license for café in historic Mormon granary
South Hills
Officials have scheduled an open house to show residents the most recent version of plans for the 2,000-acre expansion in the South Hills area.
Read more: Santa Clara plans 2,000-acre expansion in South Hills
The open house is scheduled for Tuesday, June 27, from 4-6 p.m. at the city offices, 2603 Santa Clara Drive, Santa Clara.
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