IRVINE : $533-Million Budget Sidesteps Layoffs

The city approved a two-year, $533-million budget late Tuesday night, implementing some reductions in services but avoiding layoffs.

The spending plan had been almost entirely decided by the City Council at its June 18 meeting, but some council members argued Tuesday for last-minute changes.

Councilman William A. (Art) Bloomer voted against the budget, arguing that the spending plan cuts services and vital functions such as street repair but does not look hard at eliminating employees.

“What we’re spending the dollars on is the employment of people,” he said.

Bloomer said he is concerned that the budget sets aside no money for unexpected needs that may come up during the next two years. He called for modest tax increases to strengthen the budget and predicted that more cuts could be ahead in the coming months if the economy does not pick up.

If the economy worsens, City Manager Paul O. Brady Jr. said, he will recommend more cuts in services and staff.

City Councilman Barry J. Hammond also made a final bid to kill the city’s international affairs program, which mostly pays for an employee to manage Irvine’s sister-city program. By a 3-2 vote, the same as last week, the council voted to keep it.