Municipal Analysis: City of Lemon Grove

Key Findings: 1. Between FY 1999 and FY 2009, the City of Lemon Grove experienced seven (7) budget shortfalls. 2. Sales and use taxes represent the City's largest revenue source as well as its most volatile. 3. The City faced $1.42 million in takeaways from the State this fiscal year; this directly impacted the City's General Fund ($420,000) and its Community Development Agency ($1.03 million). 4. The City's reserves have dwindled to half of FY 1999 levels. 5. If the City eliminated employer-paid member contributions for all City staff in FY 2009, the City would have saved over $230,000 (or nearly 2% of its General Fund operating expenditures). 6. The City's pension costs have increased 173% between FY 1999 and FY 2009. 7. In October of 2009, the City consolidated fire management services with the cities of La Mesa and El Cajon. For FY 2010, this will provide an estimated savings of $89,400.

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