Municipal Analysis: City of Vista (updated July 2010)
*From FY 1999 - FY 2009, the City of Vista's General Fund (GF) inflows (revenue plus transfers in) increased at an average annual rate of 5.21%, while General Fund outflows (expenditures plus transfers out) increased at an average annual rate of 10.58%. However, every year from FY 1999 - FY 2008 the City's GF inflows exceeded GF outflows. In 2009, the City had a planned deficit related to capital outlay expenditures approved through Prop L, the City's 1/2-cent sales tax increase (2006). *The City's most significant source of governmental tax revenue is property taxes (60.24% of total governmental revenue in FY 2009). *The single largest expenditure for the City is public safety, accounting for 46.56% of governmental expenditures in FY 2009. * Between FY 1999 and FY 2009, the City's population increased by 13.90%, while the number of full-time staff members has increased by 18.03%. * When adjusting for inflation, the City's total pension costs have increased 252.71% between FY 1999 and FY 2009. * As of FY 2009, the City had governmental long-term debt per capita of $2,026.28. * Of cities reviewed, Vista pays the highest salary for Assistant Planners and comparatively lower for Firefighter/Paramedics and Executive Assistants.