Needles council adopts 2023–24 budget, adds $50,000 for marketing and approves law‑enforcement contract amendment

The Needles City Council on Tuesday approved its 2023–24 city budget and related agency budgets, adding a $50,000 marketing enhancement and authorizing an amendment to the law‑enforcement services contract with San Bernardino County.

City Manager Rick Daniels presented the proposed budget as balanced and tied to the council’s fiscal policy that emergency reserves equal at least 10% of the general‑fund operating budget. Daniels said, “So at $11,000,000, there's 1.1 that is set aside in the event of emergencies,” and warned that adding a deputy would either draw down reserves or require cuts elsewhere. He also said an additional deputy would cost an estimated $353,721 per year.

The council voted to adopt Council Resolution No. 2023‑38 approving the city’s 2023–24 budget and separately approved an augmentation of $50,000 in marketing funding (in addition to a baseline $40,000). The motion carried on roll call with the council recording affirmative votes from the members called.

Auditor Berger of Berger and Comer, PC presented the Needles Public Utility Authority (NPUA) audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. Berger said the firm issued an "unmodified opinion," often called a "clean opinion," and reported no material weaknesses or material noncompliance affecting the financial statements. Council then moved to accept and file the NPUA audit report.

In related actions the council adopted the MPUA budget (MPUA Resolution O6‑13‑2023) and the Housing Authority (HACN) budget (HACN Resolution 2023‑4). The HACN also approved a resolution authorizing the write‑off of approximately $90,000 in apparently uncollectible tenant debts for accounting purposes and directed staff to refer accounts to collections.

The council approved the seventh amendment to Contract No. 99‑376 with the County of San Bernardino to provide law‑enforcement services for fiscal year 2023–24 in the contract amount of $3,619,032 and authorized the mayor to sign. Council discussion noted that certain city costs (fuel and maintenance) are borne by the city and are outside the county contract.

The budget vote and the related MPUA/HACN/NPUA actions were taken after public hearing and debate about marketing priorities and police resourcing. Council members emphasized maintaining reserves while pursuing targeted marketing and economic development work the city hopes will attract retail, housing and industrial investment.

Votes at a glance: Council Resolution No. 2023‑38 (adopt budget, including $50,000 marketing augmentation): adopted (roll call recorded affirmative votes). MPUA Resolution O6‑13‑2023 (adopt MPUA budget): adopted. HACN Resolution 2023‑4 (adopt HACN budget): adopted. Contract No. 99‑376 7th Amendment (law enforcement services): adopted; amount $3,619,032. HACN write‑offs (tenant debts $$90,000): approved.

The council indicated it will revisit midyear staffing and marketing decisions if revenue or needs change; the budget package formalizes the city’s spending plan for the coming fiscal year.