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the total workforce reductions over the past 6 -years to approximately 736 (over 41 %). This workforce <br />figure equates to a ratio of 3.17 employees per 1,000 residents. In FY 1986 -87, the ratio was 7.5 <br />employees per 1,000 residents. The City has always been recognized as being one of the most <br />efficient at providing services when compared to the 11 largest cities in California and the 100 largest <br />cities in the country. However, the recent reductions does prompt certain challenges and must be <br />viewed as an opportunity to identify different delivery systems that can be more efficient or as a <br />means to utilize technology to effectively increase the productivity of employees. <br />Moving forward <br />As the City moves forward, it has identified some key organizational strategies for the next couple of <br />years. Primary will be the updating of the City's General Plan and Zoning Code and addressing a new <br />Economic Development strategy. In addition, it will develop a capital and deferred maintenance needs <br />assessment which would provide plans for City facilities including police and fire buildings, sidewalks <br />as well as water and sewer plans, a park CIP, and general deferred maintenance. The City will also <br />develop an Information Services Strategic Plan as well as study and identify organizational cost saving <br />opportunities such as the review of the jail operations which is currently being conducted by the City <br />Manager's Office in conjunction with the Police Department. <br />The City has faced some incredible challenges over the past several years. The balanced budget <br />remains vulnerable to an economy that is still not predictable. There are decisions still being made at <br />the State and Federal level that may impact the City's budget. Decisions made at the negotiation table <br />with our bargaining units can easily create an unbalanced budget. Additionally, revenues will need <br />time to gain what was lost as a result of the recession. The pressure to limit costs will be tremendous, <br />given the increasing needs of the CALPERS system to remain solvent and the requests from the labor <br />force seeking to gain back what it had sacrificed. <br />This two -year balanced budget reflects a tremendous amount of work by staff and a resilience and <br />fortitude of a City Council that is committed to ensuring the City's financial stability. I would like to <br />thank the Budget Team, members of the Executive Management Team and their staffs for all the <br />efforts in prod ' g this 2 -year 2013 -15 budget. <br />Kevin O' `ourke <br />Interim City Manager <br />