City of Davis

Government

Cities are “local” governments, voluntarily formed by and for their citizens, to provide for local self-determination of community issues. The City of Davis is a municipal corporation operating under the general laws of the State of California. It endeavors to create a livable community with a high quality of life through land-use policies that balance the need for housing, jobs, open space and essential services. The City is a legally separate and fiscally independent agency. It can issue debt, set and modify budgets, fees and sue or be sued.

Davis operates under the Council-Manager form of government with a five-member council, elected at large by city residents. The City Manager serves as the administrative head of city government overseeing the departments of Fire, Police, Parks and Community Services, Finance, City Manager’s Office, Community Development, and Public Works.

The primary government of the City of Davis includes the activities of the City as well as the Davis Redevelopment Agency (RDA) and the Public Facilities Financing Authority. Both of these are controlled by and dependent on the City.

The RDA was established to assist in the clearance and rehabilitation of city areas determined to be in a declining condition. The Agency has the same governing board as the City. Its activities are intended to finance capital improvements and economic development to benefit the City. All accounting and administrative functions are performed by city staff. City Councilmembers serve as Directors of the RDA. The City Manager is the Executive Director.

The Public Facilities Financing Authority was established solely to assist in the issuance of certain bonds for a series of Community Facilities Districts for the construction of infrastructure and improvements under the State Mello-Roos Act. The authority is controlled by and financially dependent on the City. Its financial activities are included in the capital projects and fiduciary funds.

Dedicated to citizen participation, the City has eighteen council-appointed commissions that are devoted to various aspects of community life including such elements as planning, recreation, finance and budget and economic development, natural resources and university student relations.

As a “general-purpose” city, Davis provides essential frontline municipal services, described below. The City funds these activities through a variety of locally enacted revenues (parcel taxes, user and license fees, etc.) and with state shared revenues (property tax, sales tax, motor vehicle license fees).

Police: Provides law enforcement services that utilized departmental, civic and community resources to protect lives and property of its’ citizens.

Fire: In addition to responding to fires, environmental accidents and natural disasters, the Davis Fire Department also offers comprehensive fire safety programs and is the “first responder” in providing emergency medical services.

Parks and Recreation: The City of Davis provides swimming pools, parks, ball fields, greenbelts, bike paths and bike trails. There is one public golf course, two private golf courses and a skateboard park. The City also sponsors many recreational activities for seniors, other adults and youth of all ages and abilities.

Community Services: Provides for various programs to promote the physical and social well being of Davis residents, including operating a Senior Center and Teen Center; child care referral services and funding;

Public Transit, Transportation and Streets: Maintains and improves a coordinated local transportation network system including senior transit, dial-a-ride programs and funding assistance for UNITRANS. Plans for the safe and convenient movement of pedestrians and vehicles on city streets, maintain and repair 157 miles of city streets, 57 signal controlled intersections and 5,494 streetlights.

Planning and Development Services: Helps guide the physical and economic growth of the community. Ensures that buildings are safe and that developments improve the city environment and promote economic vitality.

Public Utilities: The City’s Public Works Department provides the clean water used by citizens every time they turn on a faucet, wash clothes, or jump into a pool or hot tub. They also provide sewer and drainage services as well as garbage removal and recycling.

Significant city work projects during FY 2005-06 include:

• The East Mace Neighborhood Park will begin construction in the winter of 2005. This 6.6 acre park is located in Mace Ranch at the corner of Alhambra Drive and Arroyo Avenue.
• Manor Pool will be rehabilitated to include new piping for the circulation of water, new concrete decking, electrical system, mechanical building and ADA compliant bathrooms. A water interactive play area and a zero depth entry pool will be added. Construction is planned to begin in Spring 2006.
• A remodel of the city owned facilities at the municipal golf course including the pro shop, food service, restrooms and parking lot will begin in the summer of 2005. In addition to bringing these buildings into compliance with ADA requirements, the flat roofs will be replaced with pitched roofs and new siding will be provided.
• A curb, gutter and sidewalk will be added to the east side of Drummond Avenue.
• Four water wells have been removed form service and are to be replaced with deep water wells. Investigation of possible sites and the drilling of a test hole for well #32 will be done by the end of the fiscal year.
• An under crossing was identified as the best alternative for the connection of the Davis Manor and Mace Ranch subdivisions. The Covell Blvd. under crossing is to have construction documents completed by June of 2005. The crossing is planned to be operational before the Fall of 2006.

Finance: The FY 2005-06 budget for the City totals over $112 million. The Finance Department services over 15,750 utility accounts, 5,400 business licensees, 6,800 vendors and manages an annual city payroll of over $25 million. The City operates on an AS 400, PC-based, totally integrated computer system.

Major revenue sources for the overall city budget include: property tax (18.0%), sales tax (7.8%), service charges (30.5%), intergovernmental revenue (16.0%), other taxes (7.9%) and all other revenues (19.8%). Within the General Fund budget, principal revenue sources are taxes (72.7%), fees and charges (18.2%), intergovernmental (4.8%), and other revenues (4.3%). Major expenditures in the General Fund are: Police and Fire (47.6%, combined) and Parks & Community Services (27.3%).

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the City of Davis a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the past five fiscal years. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting, and represents a significant accomplishment by the City. The city has also received an award for outstanding financial reporting from the California Society of Municipal Officers (CSMFO).