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.
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