Lovett: A budget that reflects our priorities

The Claremont City Council is nearing the end of the budgetary process for Fiscal Year 22 (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022). On June 22, the Council will meet to discuss final changes that it will make to City Manager Morris’s proposed budget. The following evening the Council will then present the proposed budget with those changes to the public for comment and then vote upon it. Ensuring that the budget reflects our priorities will be critical in how we move forward as a city.

Back in February of this year, the Council established four priority areas: housing, economic development, infrastructure and tax rate stabilization. Below is a breakdown of those areas and how the proposed budget supports continued progress in each area:

Housing – Nationwide, there is a housing shortage and it is no different in Claremont. Our vacancy rate hovers at zero and the inventory of homes for sale is limited. Given the importance of housing to people, our tax base and economic prosperity, housing is a major priority. Therefore, the City’s focus is to increase our housing stock, improve housing quality and address blight. Much of the work to accomplish this falls on the Planning and Development Department as it oversees all housing development. It also, along with the Fire Department, inspects for code compliance. Therefore, it is important that the budget allocates enough resources to that department. The proposed budget provides funding for a fully staffed department and allocates funding for code enforcement and blight reduction.

Economic Development – Creating an environment that draws developers, businesses and people is critical for development. Revitalizing the City’s Center, identifying the best use of city-owned land, cultivating innovation in the environment/energy sector and utilizing development incentives are critical in fostering economic growth. Accomplishing this will create new opportunities, increase the tax base, and enhance our community. Again, much of this work falls to the Planning and Development Department and the proposed budget fully staffs the department. In addition, it also provides funding for marketing the City, as well as funds for software that will streamline operations and improve efficiencies.

Infrastructure – Each year, the number one infrastructure complaint from the public’s perspective is the condition of our roads and sidewalks. For years, the accepted benchmark was to allocate $750,000 annually for pavement management in the budget. However, in the past 15 years that amount has varied, anywhere from zero to $712,000. Such fluctuations have prevented us from making the progress desired in maintaining our roads. Though $650,000 was allocated in the current budget, funds have either been recently transferred from other departments or encumbered, allowing the city to invest over $870,000 into roads this year. The Council’s objective is to invest even more into roads in FY22 and find a better approach for sidewalk management. Besides roads and sidewalks, the Council is also focused on the water and sewer systems, as well as broadband. The Council is considering changes to the water and sewer rates which support the operation and maintenance of those systems. While not contained in the proposed budget, the Council will be discussing how federal funds may be used to improve broadband access to those areas in the municipality with limited or no access.

Tax Rate Stabilization – While Claremont’s overall tax rate is the highest in the state, only a portion of that tax rate is allocated to the City. Currently, that portion is $15.17 and the proposed budget seeks to level fund that tax rate. To maintain that level and make the strategic investments needed, the Council is focused on operational efficiencies, advocacy for state revenue, protecting and increasing property values. The proposed budget includes software upgrades and capital projects that promote efficiencies and a fully funded Assessing Department, critical to tracking city valuation. While advocating for state revenue is outside of the proposed budget, a successful outcome will reduce the need to rely so heavily on the local taxpayer.

Despite the pandemic, Claremont has seen much progress in FY21. The City is facilitating the development of new, market rate housing. It is moving forward with the revitalization of Pleasant Street, a main artery in the historic district. It is removing blighted properties, investing in its infrastructure and increasing it’s over all valuation. A budget that builds upon this momentum and focuses on the priority, will ensure further success in FY22.

Charlene Lovett is the mayor of Claremont and welcomes your feedback. Please email questions, comments or concerns to her at [email protected]