Taking a closer look at city’s infrastructure needs

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The key to keeping the city’s infrastructure in

sound shape over the next two decades is, of course, money --- something

the city may need more of.

The city’s Infrastructure Planning Committee, a panel of city

officials and infrastructure-minded citizens, met with council members

last week to review funding policies for the integrated infrastructure

management program.

Resident Dick Harlow, the committee’s co-chairman, told council

members at a March 26 meeting that the city will need about $1.3 billion

to meet its infrastructure requirements over the next 20 years.

“We project there to be about $472 million in available funds for the

program, leaving a shortfall of $850 million,” he said, adding that the

city would have an annual need of about $40 million.

The city’s existing financial resources, such as revenue from taxes

and fees are insufficient to meet essential needs, committee members

said.

Outside grants, a review and update of city fees and charges, as well

as the enactment of a proposed sewer service charge are some of the

recommendations the committee suggested to raise additional money.

Other suggestions included putting a charter amendment on the March

2002 ballot that would, if passed, establish an infrastructure fund and

an oversight committee. A separate ballot item would propose a citywide

community facilities district that could supplement the city’s general

fund expenditures, while funding crucial non-sewer projects.

City officials said there is still more work to be done before the

suggested funding polices are presented to the council April 16.

Further study, for instance, is needed to determine how litigation

between the Howard Jarvis Tax Assn. and the city over a property tax

could affect the amount of general fund money available for

infrastructure purposes. Historically, the city has reserved about 15% of

the general fund for infrastructure needs.

“Our legacy is to ensure that Huntington Beach is a safe place to live

and preserve the quality of life,” said Councilwoman Shirley Dettloff, a

co-chair of the committee, “and what that is founded on is a pure

infrastructure.”

Harlow said the one money-saving idea is to focus on preserving

existing infrastructure systems, such as streets, because constant

attention would cost about one-seventh the price of a complete

refurbishment project.

“In the long run, it’s going to be money well-spent,” he added.

The city began a major review of its long-term infrastructure needs in

1995, and two years later, issued its integrated infrastructure

management program report, committee officials said. That report alerted

city officials to expected funding shortfalls.

Similarly, a group of 35 alternates have served on a citizens

infrastructure advisory committee to identify the city’s most important

needs and priorities in the area, as well as evaluating funding and other

financial methods.