City presents $112-million budget

Lolita Harper

Money isn’t necessarily the root of all evil. That is, the topic of

money at the City Council study session Monday didn’t spark any

malevolent comments or gestures.

The entire meeting, held to address various aspects of the

proposed $111.8-million city budget for 2003-04, ran smoothly, with a

variety of compliments floating across the small conference room.

The preliminary budget allows the city to maintain programs and

services at existing levels. It estimates the city will take in about

$38 million in sales tax and about $15 million in property tax.

Councilman Chris Steel said he was impressed with “the best”

budget he has seen in his more than two years on the council.

“I want to compliment the staff we have here that makes the

council -- and this council member -- look a lot better and smarter

than we really are.”

Despite liking the preliminary draft, council members still had

questions they wanted answered before making a final decision on

Monday.

Councilman Allan Mansoor had the most concerns with the proposed

budget and asked city staff to further evaluate the money being spent

on the mobile recreation unit, the mobile skate park, recreation

programs for children, the Westside police substation, the city’s

anti-drug program -- also known as DARE -- and the city’s

contribution to the Orange County Human Relations Commission.

Mansoor, an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy, questioned the

effectiveness of the Westside substation, which is only open during

business hours and not during peak crime hours.

“What do we get from that other than [public relations]?” Mansoor

said.

Mansoor, participating in his first budget session since being

elected in November, said he did not oppose any of the programs

mentioned, but wanted clarification of their popularity and success

throughout the community. Because the budget is so tight and money

must be allocated in terms of priority, Mansoor asked that those

programs be justified.

He pointed out $40,000 the city was spending for day camp trips to

Disneyland and similar amusement spots.

“A little increase in the fees, and they pay for themselves,”

Mansoor said.

Mayor Gary Monahan also called attention to various fees the

council pays to regional organizations and council members’

individual expenditures. The council has taken a conservative stance

on money allocated for the training of staffers, Monahan said, and

the council should follow suit by limiting the large amounts of money

spent on some seminars.

Mansoor, Steel and Councilwoman Libby Cowan argued that the

seminars were essential in the learning process and cautioned against

cutting that funding too severely.

“I agree, but I just want to make sure they are actually training

expenses,” Monahan said.

Cowan suggested that the city hold on to $1 million in revenue

that has not been allocated until officials see how the state budget

“shakes out.”

Councilman Mike Scheafer had questions on insurance costs, saying

the city’s estimated increase seemed very low compared to statewide

trends. Scheafer, an insurance agent, joked that that’s good news for

some and bad news for others.

Preparation for the budget process started in October 2002, and

the different departments were required to turn in their budget

requests by January. In May, the proposed budget was distributed.

Monday’s study session was held to answer preliminary questions. A

public budget workshop will be offered at 6 p.m. today in the small

conference room on the first floor.

The City Council is scheduled to make a final decision about the

budget at its Monday meeting.

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and

covers culture and the arts. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or

by e-mail at lolita.harper@latimes.com.