Clayton making progress on budget, staff consolidation

CLAYTON, CA (June 19, 2024) — On May 7, the City Council recognized local business owner and longtime resident Ed Moresi with a proclamation on the 30th anniversary of his restaurant: Ed’s Mudville Grill.

His contributions to Clayton are numerous and continue with his other restaurant: Moresi’s Chophouse. Congratulations to Ed and his family.

The council also received an update from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) on the prescribed fire status at Mount Diablo State Park. Battalion Chief Whit MacDonald presented the information.

Council action items included authorizing the city manager to execute an extension to Theis Engineering & Associates to provide city engineering services for one year from June 30, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and directing city staff on the restriping and paving of Mountaire Parkway, between Marsh Creek Road and Mountaire Circle, south of the Cabana Club and swimming pool.

On the city personnel front, the city manager has engaged the services of Regina Rubier as our financial advisor, effective April 19. Rubier will work part-time and lead the city’s budget adoption process. She will also support the Budget & Audit Committee and the recently appointed Community Financial Sustainability Committee.

Rubier comes to us with more than 20 years of government accounting and management experience. She currently serves as the chief of Administrative Services for CCCFPD, overseeing and managing the $330 million budget and the Human Resources Division. She has worked with the city of Stockton as the Water Resources program manager and as the city administrator in Isleton. Please welcome Rubier.

Regarding the Community Financial Sustainability Committee, the group elected Howard Kaplan as chair. Congratulations to Kaplan. He is a certified financial planner as is member Frank Gavidia, while Hank Stratford is a CPA.

On May 21, the city recognized the annual “Mayor for the Day” contest winner, Alex Silvermaster. The Mt. Diablo Elementary School student presided as mayor, calling the meeting to order, made the roll call and led the Pledge of Allegiance. He also assisted Councilmember Peter Cloven with the presentations for “Do The Right Thing” awards to both elementary and middle school students. Well done, Alex.

Also, the council approved the interim city manager’s proposal to upgrade our accounting technician to accountant. Further staff changes included combining the city clerk with the assistant to the city manager position. And finally, we combined the finance director with the new job of assistant city manager. These actions save the city more than $20,000 annually.

On June 4, the council approved the Fiscal Year 2024-’25 General Fund budget and related fund budgets, along with the Fiscal Year 2024-’25 salary schedule.

Also, the council approved the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2023-’24 to 2027-’28.
Meanwhile, the council continues interviewing for a new city manager.

Again, as your mayor, I will continue to work hard to maintain Clayton’s small-town charm and character while running an open and transparent local government. You can reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns at 925-673-7316 or JimD@claytonca.gov.

I look forward to working with you.