Fairfield Headed Toward Fiscal Black Hole?

Here's a press release I received from the Fairfield city manager's office:

On Tuesday, April 3, the Fairfield City Council will consider whether to declare a Fiscal Emergency in the City of Fairfield.

“Most of our community is unaware that Sacramento has seized more than $44 million dollars in the last three years from Fairfield to deal with their budget mess,” said Fairfield City Manager Sean Quinn. “While the City has been fiscally responsible, balancing budgets during the recession, the State financial take-aways have simply been too much.”

With this latest round of budget reductions and layoffs, Fairfield has cut $37 million from its budget and eliminated 150 staff positions.  Key City services that have already been eliminated or significantly reduced include crime prevention and fire prevention, City Hall at the Mall, recreation programs, building inspection, street maintenance, code enforcement, crime prevention, economic development, and affordable housing activities.  In addition, the City eliminated 19 sworn police officer positions (13 after receiving grant funding) and the crime suppression unit.

“This Declaration is an acknowledgement that the City cannot make further budget cuts without significantly impacting the quality of life and the character of our community,” stated Quinn.  “We may need to explore ways to enhance locally-controlled revenue that cannot be taken by Sacramento in order to preserve essential City services, most important of which is to maintain current levels of public safety and police services, including neighborhood patrols, and crime and gang prevention programs.”

The Declaration of Fiscal Emergency will be a statement by the City Council that revenues and the cost saving measures that have been implemented will not be sufficient to avoid further reductions to City services, impacting Fairfield’s quality of life and long-term financial viability, unless a locally-controlled funding source is identified.

“In order to have a transparent and honest discussion with the community about possible future budget cuts, our community must know the financial state the City is in,” stated Quinn.  “We will continue to evaluate all options for cost savings and local revenue enhancement, and will keep the community informed at every step.”