Walnut Creek strikes cautious tone as budget shortfall looms

The coronavirus pandemic will likely mean a major budget hit to the city of Walnut Creek, amounting to millions of dollars this fiscal year, City Council members were told Tuesday.

Citing the anticipated losses of sales tax revenue, transient occupancy taxes and proceeds related to the cancellation of arts and recreation programs — including scheduled shows at the Lesher Center for the Arts that were canceled — city staff forecasts a budget deficit of between $5.5 million and $10 million for the 2019-20 fiscal year, depending largely on when the Bay Area-wide shelter-in-place order is lifted.