Council members seek fluff to cut

Deirdre Newman

Costa Mesa -- The dire state budget deficit is causing some city

leaders to look for ways to cut out what they consider fluff in the

city expenditures.

The state is staring down a $35 million shortfall and Costa Mesa

can expect to lose millions in state funding for the 2003-04 fiscal

year, including $2.6 million in reduced state funding it receives to

compensate for lower vehicle license fees.

On Tuesday, the City Council will receive an update on the

community objectives, which include goals like trying to improve

traffic along Newport Boulevard in the downtown area and pursuing

funding and construction of a compressed natural gas facility in the

area.

Councilman Gary Monahan said there are several objectives that he

doesn’t feel comfortable funding at this point since the city’s

budget will be pinched by the state crisis.

“Some of it is stuff that’s not required that we’re throwing a lot

of money at,” Monahan said.

Councilman Allan Mansoor said he shares Monahan’s concerns and

will also be looking at the community objectives with a more

circumspect eye.

“The state budget crisis is definitely adding a little more reason

to look closely at the budget this time around and that includes some

of our community objectives that are expensive.”

Some of the priorities, Monahan said, should be downgraded in

tight times include water conservation, alternative fuel projects and

funding for Costa Mesa Cares after-school programs.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.