Cal EMA stations new engine in Lodi

The California Emergency Management Agency today handed off one of its new $340,000 fire engines to the City of Lodi, an engine the City can use as a back-up rig and one Cal EMA will call on when Lodi firefighters respond to a major fire elsewhere in the state.

Cal EMA Acting Secretary Matthew Bettenhausen (speaking) and others provided some remarks during the dedication at Lodi Station 3 on South Ham Lane.

A video of the ceremony can be viewed at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1572279 with more information on the Cal EMA program available here.

The engine has a shorter wheelbase than the City engines, and rides a little higher, making it a better choice for off-road firefighting.

Review of 2009/10 budget begins

Lodi staff began briefing the City Council on the proposed FY 2009/10 budget at this morning's study session. The Police, Fire and Public Works departments gave an overview of their budgets, staffing, accomplishments in the current fiscal year and areas of emphasis in 09/10.

The next budget session will be Tuesday, June 2, in another 7 a.m. study session at the Carnegie Forum, where other department heads will make brief presentations on the current year and plans in the upcoming one.

The City Council could adopt the budget as soon as the June 3 meeting.

Tuesday's election and potential impact on Lodi

Voters go to the polls tomorrow to decide a bunch of propositions related to State finances. The League of California Cities is expecting the State to seize $2 BILLION of local government money if the propositions fail.

So what would that mean for Lodi? Another $1.4 million in lost revenue.

This would be on top of the impact on the City by the recession. Revenue from property and sales tax alone is estimated to be nearly $3.5 million less in the fiscal year (beginning July 1) than it was in Fiscal Year 2006-07.

Of course, this would only be a loan to the state. Funny word, "loan." Usually it's lenders who decide if they'll make a loan. Making a loan against your will ... you could probably find a better word for it.

Draft FY 2009/10 budget now online

The draft budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is now available online at www.lodi.gov. 

Here are the basics: General Fund spending is down to $39.8 million. Nearly every department budget is getting hacked because of falling revenue.

The first regular City Council meeting on the budget is Wednesday (May 20). The Council will not adopt the budget any sooner than the June 3 meeting.