City's Fiscal Sustainability Plan

15-POINT FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
for Newport Beach City Government

1. The City will proactively seek to protect and expand its tax base by encouraging a
   healthy underlying local economy.
2.  The City will work to enhance and protect the property values of all Newport Beach
   residents and property owners.
3. The City will encourage shopping, dining, and visiting at Newport Beach stores,
   restaurants, and hotels.
4. The City will establish and maintain appropriate cash reserves.
5. The City will manage its Facilities Finance Plan to not exceed the 5% of General Fund
   expenditures threshold.
6. City revenue performance will be reviewed no less than quarterly and appropriate
   budget adjustments will be made in advance of the end of a budget year if revenue
   performance is not meeting projections.
7. The City will initiate a "results-based budgeting" approach that allows the public and the
   City Council to prioritize City expenditures strategically rather than simply adjusting
   legacy expenditures to reflect inflation.
8. The City will implement a Performance Measurement/Management Strategy as part of
   an ongoing effort to ensure high-quality and efficient performance.
9. The City will consider competitive contracting of services and equipment when
   appropriate and where clear, cost-effective alternatives exist.
10. The City will make it a priority to be energy efficient in its provision of public services.
11. The City will establish appropriate cost-recovery targets for its fee structure and will
    annually adjust its fee structure to ensure that the fees continue to meet cost recovery
    targets.
12. The City will oppose efforts of the State and County governments to divert revenues
    from the City or to increase the unfunded service mandate of City taxpayers.
13. The City will work in partnership with its employees to ensure fair compensation and that
    costs related to pension and other benefits are appropriately allocated between
    employer and employees.
14. The City will vigorously defend itself and its taxpayers against frivolous lawsuits.
15. The City will seek additional intergovernmental funding and grants, with a priority on
    funding one-time capital projects. Grant-funded projects that require multi-year support
    will be reviewed by the Finance Committee.