Menifee City Council Adopts Balanced Budget of $27.6 Million

Menifee Mayor Scott Mann (left) and deputy mayor Wallace Edgerton joined the rest of the council in honoring departing Finance Director Terri Willoughy Wednesday night.

The Menifee City Council Wednesday night unanimously approved a balanced budget of almost $27.6 million for the fiscal year 2014-15.

The budget presented in a staff report by Finance Director Terri Willoughby showed projected revenue of $27,598,244 in the general fund for the next fiscal year. Budgeted expenses total $27,592,016.

City officials expressed satisfaction in the ability to present a balanced budget -- especially considering the next fiscal year will be the third consecutive year the city will be without vehicle licensing revenues removed by Governor Jerry Brown from city budgets. In the 2011-12 fiscal year, Menifee benefited from $47,163 in revenue from those fees.

The new budget includes $10.3 million for police and $7.3 million for fire protection. Public safety makes up 63 percent of the city's budgeted expenses. The budget for police protection increased $1.4 million over last year, due to an increase in the city's contract with Riverside County and the addition of three officers.

The budget does not include any new added staff positions and there are no tax increases included.

"Financially, we're definitely headed in the right direction," said Willoughby. "If you go back and look at our fund balance policy, we're over what the policy is. It's a healthy financial situation."

Wednesday night's staff presentation was the last for Willoughby, who is leaving her position for a job with the San Bernardino Municipal Water Department. She was honored by staff and council members during the meeting.