Lodi City Council - Looking back over 2024
The Lodi City Council made several significant decisions over the past year (February 2024–February 2025) that shaped infrastructure, public safety, and community development.
Budget and Fiscal Management
Adopted $276M FY 2024-25 Budget (June 2024):
Approved a 1% reduced budget focused on parks, economic development, and utility modernization. Key allocations included:
$13M for a new Animal Services Shelter
$3M completion of Lodi Lake renovations
$1.6M for park play structure replacements
$11.4M for ongoing water, wastewater, and electric utility maintenance[1].
Utilized reserves to offset a $2.2M loss in business license tax revenue while maintaining salary adjustments and critical staffing[1].
Public Safety and Health
Advanced Life Support Paramedic Program:
Approved paramedic incentives via a side letter agreement with Lodi Fire Mid-Management to enhance emergency medical response[5].
Automated License Plate Readers:
Ratified $170,000 for eight additional Flock cameras and gunshot-detection software to combat crime[2].
Infrastructure and Utilities
Lodi Lake Emergency Repairs:
Declared an emergency on March 2024 to address Mokelumne Riverbank erosion, expediting critical repairs[7].
Electric Utility Modernization:
Funded substation upgrades for reliability and continued 0% energy-efficiency financing for commercial/industrial customers[3].
Traffic Safety Improvements:
Updated stop controls and parking restrictions on Lodi Avenue and other streets to reduce congestion[4].
Economic Development
Downtown Revitalization:
Advanced mixed-use zoning policies and building revitalization incentives under the Strategic Vision[3].
East Side Investments:
Allocated $300,000 for alley replacements and prioritized economic planning for underserved neighborhoods[1].
Community Services
Permanent Access Center:
Approved construction of a homeless shelter and awarded operations to Inner City Action, Inc.[2].
Arts Grants:
Adopted FY 2024-25 funding for local arts initiatives, supporting cultural programming[6].
Environmental Initiatives
Low-Carbon Transit Program:
Authorized free student fares to reduce emissions through the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP)[8].
Water Conservation:
Adjusted Woodbridge Irrigation District water agreements using banked credits to address underpayments[7].
These decisions reflect a balance between fiscal prudence and strategic investments in safety, infrastructure, and quality of life. Major projects like the Access Center and paramedic program highlight the council’s focus on addressing homelessness and emergency response gaps, while budget transparency tools like the ClearGov platform aim to boost public trust[1].
How did the City Council address the Revenue Losses
The Lodi City Council addressed a $2.2 million revenue shortfall in business license taxes through a combination of reserve allocations and strategic budget adjustments while protecting core services:
1. Reserve Utilization
Deployed general fund reserves to offset the $2.2M loss without cutting salary adjustments or critical staffing, maintaining operational continuity.
2. Targeted Budget Reductions
Implemented a 1% overall budget cut ($276M FY 2024-25 budget) while prioritizing:
Public safety enhancements (paramedic incentives, Flock cameras)
Infrastructure modernization (Lodi Lake repairs, utility upgrades)
Homeless services (Access Center funding)
3. Revenue Diversification
Advanced economic development initiatives like downtown revitalization and East Side investments to stimulate long-term revenue growth.
This approach balanced fiscal responsibility with investments in high-priority community needs, avoiding service reductions in key areas.
The Lodi City Council introduced several new revenue-generating initiatives and programs over the past year to offset budget losses, focusing on diversification and economic growth:
Direct Revenue Initiatives
Business License Registration Program:
Implemented in March 2024 to improve compliance and revenue collection from businesses[4].
Fee Adjustments:
Increased planning and park rental fees to better align with service costs, aiming for a 10% boost in rental revenue through enhanced marketing and pricing[12].
Economic Development Programs
Hometown Microloan Program:
Launched in December 2023 with California Capital to provide loans ($5,000–$50,000) to local entrepreneurs and microbusinesses, fostering economic activity[13].
Retail and Business Intelligence Tools:
Deployed Placer AI and upgraded software to attract new businesses and help existing ones analyze competitiveness[13].
Strategic Financial Management
Maintained a $25M+ money market investment with F&M Bank to ensure liquidity for strategic priorities[4].
Explored a potential 2024 revenue measure (e.g., tax or fee adjustments) through public outreach, though specifics remain under consideration[12].
These efforts complemented reserve allocations and budget cuts, reflecting a focus on long-term fiscal stability through both immediate adjustments and systemic economic development[9].
Sources
[1] City Council Approves 2024-2025 Annual Budget - City of Lodi https://www.lodi.gov/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=397&ARC=611
[2] City Council Regular Meeting - Lodi https://lodica.granicus.com/MinutesViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=2409
[3] City Council Strategic Vision | Lodi, CA https://www.lodi.gov/1260/City-Council-Strategic-Vision
[4] City Council Regular Meeting - Lodi https://lodica.granicus.com/MinutesViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=2207
[5] City Council Regular Meeting https://lodica.granicus.com/MinutesViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=2292
[6] [PDF] LODI CITY COUNCIL https://www.lodi.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10022024-1708
[7] City Council Regular Meeting - Lodi https://lodica.granicus.com/MinutesViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=2085
[8] City of Lodi - Meeting of City Council on 5/15/2024 at 7:00 PM https://lodica.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1181907&GUID=544B4E75-85AC-4500-B075-4B810997F76E&Options=info%7C
[9] City Council Approves 2024-2025 Annual Budget - City of Lodi https://www.lodi.gov/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=397&ARC=610
[10] [PDF] 2024 BUDGET WORK SESSION - City of Port Angeles https://cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/13710/2024-Preliminary-Budget-Worksession-PDF
[11] City Council Approves 2024-2025 Annual Budget - City of Lodi https://www.lodi.gov/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=397&ARC=611
[12] City Council Strategic Vision | Lodi, CA https://www.lodi.gov/1260/City-Council-Strategic-Vision
[13] [PDF] City Council Strategic Vision Updates – Q4 - City of Lodi https://www.lodi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7268/Q4-Strategic-Updates-100123-123123