New expenditures added to Yorba Linda budget

Nearly $1 million in new expenditures have been added to Yorba Linda's current fiscal year budget, including funds to update the 20-year-old master plan for storm drain infrastructure and continue with cosmetic and technology renovations to the council chambers at City Hall.

Storm drain planning will cost $400,000, and council chambers renovations $308,000, with the latter building on $200,000 already spent to replace camera and hardware used for live cable television and internet streaming of the twice-monthly council meetings.

Other projects include $100,000 for the first phase of a plan to identify city facilities that require modifications to fully comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act; $50,000 to enhance cybersecurity infrastructure; and $76,000 for staffing, vehicle replacement and more security at the Town Center parking structure.

A second phase of the plan to meet ADA requirements will be funded next year, with the specific improvements needed incorporated into the city's capital improvement program.

The cybersecurity expenditure “will enhance the city's already robust defenses, while taking a balanced approach between the cost of additional safeguards and the additional security pro-vided,” according to a report from Finance Director Scott Catlett.

“Many cities have recently experienced increased attempts by malicious individuals to access city networks and divert city resources,” Catlett noted, so staff has “reviewed the city's current infrastructure for any enhancements that can be implemented to improve cybersecurity.”

A $15,000 contract with a security firm will supplement added patrols for Town Center since the addition of a deputy earlier this fiscal year. Contracted security guards “can partner with the Sheriff's Department to increase the coverage of patrols in the structure,” Catlett stated.

Current and previously added expenditures for the budget year ending June 30 will reduce an expected budget surplus from $543,000 to $48,000, with total operating reserves at 54% of general fund expenditures, still above the council's policy of maintaining a reserve of 50%.

Previously approved expenditures for the current fiscal year included $270,000 for a second modular trailer to expand office space at city hall and $79,000 for higher tree trimming costs.

Also, council previously approved spending from reserves: $2 million to reduce the balance of a loan to pay some costs associated with the Town Center project and $1.1 million for remed-iation of Bastanchury Road property recently sold for a housing project.

Other expenditures from reserves included $229,000 to reduce an unfunded pension liability and $200,000 to reduce an unfunded retiree medical liability.

Not included in current budget numbers is an increase in user fee income beginning Jan. 1, with Catlett anticipating “a measurable impact on revenue realized in the second half of the fiscal year.”