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Early Direction for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget <br />April 2, 2024 <br />Page 7 <br />4 <br />1 <br />5 <br />8 <br />If the City continues providing reduced parking rates, the estimated General Fund <br />subsidy necessary for FY 2024-25 will be $2.2 million. A significant portion of the <br />Parking Enterprise includes Downtown Enhancement with the Clean and Safe program <br />which undertakes functions such as power washing and other debris pick-up. <br />Reinstating rates to fund the Parking Enterprise is important for the atmosphere and <br />upkeep of amenities in Downtown Santa Ana. <br />Shall staff reinstate the downtown parking rates to avoid another General Fund subsidy <br />in Parking Enterprise? <br />Zoo Operations <br />The costs to operate Municipal zoos, aquariums, and museums are typically subsidized, <br />based on the educational and recreational benefits to residents. The Santa Ana Zoo has <br />an annual operations budget of approximately $3 million. This does not include any <br />capital projects such as new or rehabilitated exhibits and safety improvements. Last <br />year, revenue reached $1.8 million, the most ever received. Therefore, the Zoo currently <br />requires an annual subsidy of approximately $1.2 million (or 40%) for recurring <br />operations. In contrast, the City’s General Fund contributes nearly $1.7 million annually <br />to the Bowers Museum for operations. <br />The Zoo continues to find creative ways to increase revenue for a higher level of <br />operations that support accreditation. On February 20, the City Council approved a <br />concession agreement that includes alcohol sales, with the Zoo receiving a revenue <br />share ranging between 6% and 10% of sales. The Zoo is considering implementation of