City government · Stanislaus County, CA
Modesto's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Modesto took in $535 million and spent $479 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Modesto's money comes from county and other local tax money.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 0.9%.
City taxes28%
What's in other taxesPublic utility taxes; occupation and business licenses and 3 more
- Public utility taxes$28.9 million
- Occupation and business licenses$20.0 million
- Other selective sales taxes$3.4 million
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$723 thousand
- Other licenses$648 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services42%
What's in fees for servicesWater; sewer and 5 more
- Water$86.2 million
- Sewer$75.0 million
- Other service charges$39.1 million
- Garbage collection$16.9 million
- Parks and recreation$4.3 million
- Parking$1.8 million
- Airport$1.3 million
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money3.1%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money8.4%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money9.2%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other9.1%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Modesto's spending goes to housing and community development.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people spends 1.4%.
Spending by category100%
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
- Police$81.1 million
- Fire protection$67.6 million
- Inspections and regulation$4.6 million
- Courts and legal services$2.1 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; sewer systems and 1 more
- Water supply$71.9 million
- Sewer systems$48.8 million
- Garbage and solid waste$15.1 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways; parking and 2 more
- Roads and highways$52.7 million
- Parking$2.2 million
- Public transit$1.2 million
- Airports$1.1 million
What's in running the government and other costsCentral staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology); finance, tax collection and budgeting and 1 more
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$16.5 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$13.5 million
- Other and not broken out$6.8 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation
- Parks and recreation$28.4 million
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to the state government and sent to local governments: other and not broken out
- Sent to the state government$7.0 million
- Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$5.4 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on water supply debt and interest on general debt
- Interest on water supply debt$5.4 million
- Interest on general debt$2.5 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$5.4 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Modesto. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
What this covers. The money of City of Modesto itself. Other governments that serve the same area (the city, county, school district and state) are separate and not included. Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, and pension trust funds are not counted as revenue.