Clear Goals for Ontario's 2010-11 Operating Budget
On June 29th, Ontario’s Mayor and City Council adopted a $383,066,733 Operating Budget which continues to focus on prudent, long-term policy decisions and sound fiscal management to meet the needs of our community.
Consistent with the Mayor and City Council’s primary goal to “Develop Strategies and Take Actions to Minimize the Negative Impacts of the Global Financial Downturn on Ontario’s Economy and the City’s Fiscal Health”, the Operating Budget is balanced and addresses City Council priorities. Further, the Operating Budget 1) maintains critical Public Safety Services; 2) retains the Council-authorized 18% Undesignated Fund Balance Goal; 3) continues targeted investment in capital projects to improve public facilities and infrastructure; and 4) provides reserves for other liabilities such as those for public safety equipment.
Despite the current economic conditions, Ontario continues to process entitlements and build projects to create a ‘Complete Community’ for our residents and businesses. In 2009, over $96 million dollars in construction projects were either completed or approved for construction, most of them were delivered in the second half of the City’s 2009-10 fiscal year.
The City-owned Citizens Business Bank Arena will celebrate its second year anniversary in October. Since its grand opening, the Arena continues to attract the finest acts, shows and sporting events. In addition to the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings, the Arena also hosted The Eagles, STYX, and Kansas this past year. Along with hosting the 2009 – 2010 ECHL All-Star Hockey Event and Skills Competition, the Arena set the record for highest average attendance in the ECHL for the Ontario Reign Hockey team.
Ontario’s Mayor and City Council are committed to investing in our Downtown Euclid Avenue District. In addition to community amenities such as our Library and Senior Center, the Mayor and City Council have focused their efforts to bring affordable housing downtown. The Ontario Town Square development is ready for occupancy and the City Center Senior Apartments, a 76-unit affordable senior housing development, will be complete this year. The City Center Senior Apartments have been designed with the highest level of architectural features, including warm colors and large arches at primary entrances, and is similar in design to the early work of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Progress continues on the Historic Guasti District in preparation for construction of this key lifestyle project. Structure and artifact preservation of many of the architectural features have been completed along with the industrial “wrapping” of many of the outer buildings to ensure their longevity. The City Hall renovation continues to move forward with the completion of the demolition and the remediation of the existing shell. The “New” City Hall is slated to be completed and occupied for the service of our citizens in late Spring of 2011.
Through this and previous years’ budgets, the Mayor and City Council have emphasized the need to plan for the future. The City’s Operating Budget continues to support high-quality municipal services, maintenance and needed expansion of the City’s infrastructure and facilities. In short, the investment and re-investment of City resources in the Community will bring about dividends for years to come.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Mayor and City Council for providing clear goals and direction which have been incorporated in the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 and to the staff members who have contributed to its preparation. |
