HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-21 City CouncilBUDGET 1997-98
City of Palo
C ty Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
ATTENTION:
CITY MANAGER
FINANCE COMMITTEE
DEPARTMENT: Community Services
DATE:
SUBJECT:
May 21, 1997 CMR: 226:97
Review of Community Services Fee Reduction Program
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends continuation of the Community Services Department Fee Reduction
Program in the 1997/98 Fiscal Year. Staff also recommends that the Fee Reduction Income
Scale be adjusted with each two-year budget, effective July 1, 1998.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This report does not recommend any changes to existing City policies.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
The former Disability Awareness Task Force (DATF) and the Human Relations
Commission (HRC) asked staff to develop a fee reduction program for low-income and
disabled residents, which would allow more citizens to participate in Community Services-
sponsored recreational classes, day camps, theater and cultural classes. The request also
asked that fees be waived for attendants required to accompany an individual with a
disability to any of these activities. At the Finance Committee of May 30, 1996, the
Committee recommended that Council approve the Community Services Fee Reduction
Program on a one-year pilot basis. Council approved the program on June 24, 1996, and
asked staff to return with a review of the program as part of the FY 97-98 budget process.
Implementation
The Office of Human Services (OHS) was asked to develop an eligibility scale and
administer the pilot program. OHS utilized the Federal Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) income guidelines for the greater San Jose region, using the low-income
guidelines for the low-income population and the median income figures for the disabled
participants. These figures are reviewed annually and provide the best barometer to keep
CMR:226:97 Page 1 of 4
up with the area’s changing economic indices. The eligibility scale for the program is as
follows:
INCOME GUIDELINES:
Low Income Guidelines
Size of Household
1
2
3
4
5
6
Each add’l person add
Monthly
$1,341
$1,341
$1,575
$1,891
$2,208
$2,525
$316
Yearly
$16,100
$16,100
$18,900
$22,700
$26,500
$30,300
$3,800
Disability Income
Guidelines
Size of Household 100% Median Income
1 $47,200
2 $53,900
3 $60,700
4 $67,400
5 $72,800
6 $78,200
7 $83,600
8 $89,000
CMR:226:97 Page 2 of 4
The following programs are eligible for the 50 percent Fee Reduction Policy:
Arts & Culture classes that charge $5.00/hr or more
Recreation programs that charge $5.00/hr or more
(Camps, Classes, Swim Lessons, Middle School Athletics, Therapeutic Classes
and Lap Swim Coupon Book)
Staff’s outreach program included two newspaper ads, development of 1,000 brochures
distributed at all library branches and community centers, advertisements in the Enjoy
Catalog, and an informational insert in the City’s utility bill.
Participation
Twenty-two residents applied for the Fee Reduction Program from September 1, 1996
through March 31, 1997. Of those, twenty-one have been certified and one was found
ineligible. Twenty were certified based on meeting the low-income eligibility guidelines
and one was certified based on the disability income guidelines.
In the Recreation, Open Space and Sciences Division, assistance has been provided for a
total of fifty-two classes and/or camps for thirteen families for an average benefit of
approximately $35. Three to five families use the program repeatedly, while most of the
remaining have signed up for only one or two programs. In staff’s review of registration
histories, most of the extensive users of the Fee Reduction Program participated in City
programs before the policy was implemented. Staff expects to see the total figures rise
somewhat over the next few weeks because several families, who have signed up for
summer camps in the past, have yet to register for this upcoming summer. Unless they have
moved out of the. area, it is highly conceivable that they would apply for the reduction.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staffprojected (CMR 280:96), that a revenue loss of approximately $5,000 could result from
the Program. However, as of April 1, 1997, the Recreation, Open Space and Sciences
Division has experienced a revenue loss of $1,857, and the Arts and Culture Division reports
a $47 loss of revenue. The breakdown is as follows:
®
Children’s Summer Camps and Aquatic Programs: $908
Adult Classes, Swim Ticket Books, etc.: $531
Children’s Science and Art Classes, Middle School Athletics: $416
Projected costs to implement the program totaled $1,104 in outreach, equipment, and
supplies. By sharing the Fire Department’s camera and laminator machine, staff was able
to reduce start-up costs by $3,000. Staff believes that a request for a budget
supplementation is not necessary to continue administration of this program.
CMR:226:97 Page 3 of 4
Staff recommends that the Community Services Fee Reduction Income Scale for eligibility
(listed on page two of this report) be adjusted every two years, effective July 1, 1998.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This program is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act and
is not subject to CEQA requirements.
PREPARED BY: David F. Martin, Administrator, Office of Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW.~~
PAUL THILTGEN
Director of Community Services
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
Manager
Related CMRs: 235:95; 280:96
cc: Human Relations Commission
CMR:226:97 Page 4 of 4