Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2003/2004

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

As shown on the attached tables, Solid Waste expenditures for FY 2003/04 are projected to approach $5 million, of which some $115,600 is grant reimbursable. Anticipated revenue (excluding fund transfers) totals $4.4 million. To cover the anticipated difference between revenue and expenditures, funds in the amount of $550,000 will be transferred from the Solid Waste Capital Improvement Trust Fund, leaving a fund balance of about $4.7 million. By prior direction of the Board, the fund includes a $1 million reserve for unanticipated occurrences. We have also set aside a contingency fund of $50,000 for unbudgeted expense items that may be needed in the course of the year to respond to unforeseen occurrences or regulatory changes.

Long-term cash flow projections had anticipated a $400,000 deposit into the Trust Fund this fiscal year. We now anticipate a $550,000 draw on the reserve due to expenditures associated with new and/or expanded services, including:

• establishing private “no fee” wood and yard waste collection sites in Ebbetts Pass area,
• providing year-round collection of universal/recycle-only hazardous wastes at the Wilseyville, Red Hill and Avery Transfer Stations,
• purchasing wood waste processing equipment, and
• bringing PG&E power into Rock Creek.

Long-term cash flow projections remain little changed as these new or expanded programs are intended to reduce our recurring annual costs.

Notable line item expenses within each Solid Waste Budget Department for FY 2003/04 are identified in the following discussion. The worksheets appended to this narrative itemize proposed expenditures for each Budget Department. As shown on the worksheets, all Solid Waste staffing costs are expended directly from Department 1900 and then “cost-accounted” to the other Budget Departments based on the estimated percentage of time each staff member is projected to work on projects associated with a Budget Department. Note that the transfer of funds from the Solid Waste Trust Fund is treated as operating revenue.