Summary
The Quarterly City Managers Report (“QCMR”) for the first quarter (period ending September 30, 2021) projects FY2022 revenues at $5.080 billion; however, FY2022 obligations are projected at $5.348 billion. Thus, spending is projected to outpace revenues by $358 million. The QCMR also projects a year-end fund balance of $133.9 million, far below the target set by City officials, and the Government Finance Officers Association’s recommended level. In addition to analysis of projected first quarter financials, PICA’s Staff Report on the QCMR also identifies key management issues and tracks departmental performance for several City departments: • Staffing. Total City staffing (full-time employees) through the first quarter of FY2022 is 21,056, a decrease of 826 full-time employees, or 3.8 percent since the first quarter of last year. • Police. Homicides decreased by six through the first quarter compared to last year, while shooting victims decreased by 54, or 7.5 percent; the first quarter Homicide Clearance Rate was 39.3 percent. • Streets. On-Time Recycling and Trash Collection Rates both improved in the first quarter compared to last year—but are also still below pre-Pandemic levels. • Human Services. The Dependent Population continues to decline, to 4,254, while the Percent of Dependents in Care More Than 2 Years increased by 5.6 percentage points compared to last year.