Proposed city budget to be presented at next council meeting

LANCASTER – The proposed 2012/2013 city budget will be presented at the June 12, 2012 Lancaster City Council meeting and will be considered for adoption at the June 26th City Council meeting, prior to the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2012.

The following is the press release from the City of Lancaster:

On June 12, 2012, City of Lancaster Director of Finance Barbara Boswell and City Manager Mark V. Bozigian will present the proposed 2012/2013 city budget to the City Council for consideration.

To address Council direction and priorities for the community, the proposed budget has been developed to maintain a prudent and functional financial platform from which to sustain the City’s operational capabilities in spite of the economic challenges of the past few years.

“It was important for us to explore every feasible option when developing this budget,” said Lancaster Director of Finance Barbara Boswell.  “We worked extremely hard to make every dollar count.  As a result, we were able to reduce costs, improve efficiency and avoid cutting corners in service.”

With the loss of the Lancaster Redevelopment Agency and multiple occurrences of the State pillaging City funds, Lancaster has had to adapt to unforeseen losses financially and operationally, losses which were imposed and not voluntary.  Such circumstances have challenged the City to find ways to preserve operations and services.

The proposed 2012/2013 City of Lancaster Budget accomplishes just that, offering a financial plan which maintains public safety initiatives, community service levels, and operational hours.  Through the Capital Budget, the City will also continue to move forward with implementing its Master Plan for Trails and Bikeways, as well as address its road improvement program.

By maximizing limited resources and retaining essential personnel, the City of Lancaster has been able to successfully continue top-level customer service, while maintaining an exceptional and motivated staff.  Concurrently, growing and expanding opportunity, innovation and citizen outreach throughout the community has been made possible due to private sector partnerships, partnerships with the faith-based and medical communities, and through citizen involvement, most notably via numerous citizen commissions, Neighborhood Impact Homes, Wellness Homes, and Community Gardens.

“Our goal has been to prepare a budget we can be proud of, not only from an operational standpoint, but also from the standpoint of service to our community,” said Lancaster City Manager Mark V. Bozigian.  “The services we provide to the community wouldn’t be possible without our engaged Council and wonderful staff who continue to persevere through one of our toughest financial periods.  We’re in this, and will get through this, together.”

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