Riverbank council approves midyear budget adjustments, CDBG annual plan and consent items

The Riverbank City Council on Feb. 27 approved a series of routine and fiscal items as part of its agenda.

The council adopted midyear budget amendments for FY 2023–24 after a staff presentation from Tammy Alcantor, assistant city manager. Staff said amendments reflect updated revenue and expenditure trends: property tax and a vehicle license fee swap increased revenues; retail sales tax declined in some categories. The general fund revenue projection rose from about $14.1 million to $14.4 million, and amended general fund expenditures increased from about $15.0 million to $16.1 million, driven in part by a $1 million increase for litigation, $25,000 for recruitment related to a planned Development Services Director replacement, and emergency stormwater repairs. Staff recommended and council approved the midyear amendments on a 5–0 roll call.

On item 11.1, Leticia Ibanez, housing specialist, presented the FY 2024–25 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan. The plan lists priorities and projects eligible for CDBG funding and noted that CDBG funds must be spent in areas where more than 50% of residents are low‑moderate income. The council voted 5–0 to concur with the plan and allow public review.

The consent calendar included pavement restoration and project acceptance items and replacement of public works construction standards. Council approved the consent calendar (items 9.1–9.4) and later approved item 9.5 — a resolution allocating $44,100 from general fund reserves for translation services for the Riverwalk draft EIR — after the item was pulled for public comment and clarification.

What happens next: staff will implement approved midyear budget adjustments and proceed with CDBG public‑review steps for the annual plan. The translation allocation will fund Spanish translations of Riverwalk materials to support public participation in the draft EIR review.