Cuts painful, but necessary

The City Council made $11.1 million in deep, painful cuts to the

2002-03 budget last week. Several long-standing programs will no

longer get funding. Some of those programs will cease to exist,

others will likely prevail with the strong volunteerism that exists

in this city. But the most devastating of cuts was the decision to

lay off 37 employees.

The City Council did not make these decisions easily or lightly.

Council members would, most likely, never cut programs and add new

ones if they could, and would certainly not let employees go for

financial reasons. But the fact is, the money isn’t there. In these

times of fiscal crisis we must all tighten our belts.

When times are bad, people must forgo that annual vacation and not

buy that new suit or dress, businesses must scale back or else close

their doors. Huntington Beach is a $135-million business that cannot

close its doors. It must, therefore, scale back.

Many will question whether the council made the right decisions.

For the most part, the cuts recommended by City Administrator Ray

Silver and agreed upon by the council were right on the money.

As tough as they were to make, there was not a lot of fat left on

the bird.

HBTV-3 and the Sister City program were two of the more viable

cuts, but they were two among many. Both will be missed, but neither

is paramount to the running of the city. The Sister City program will

hopefully find other means and survive, perhaps to be city-funded

again one day. HBTV was a quirky amenity that was enjoyed, but not

necessary.

The majority of the cuts came from department head

recommendations. Silver instructed each department to find a way to

cut a certain percentage from its budget. We must trust that those

people know their departments and their jobs.

There are more cuts ahead. The cuts will only get more difficult

to make and more painful to residents and employees. It is, in part,

residents’ money they are managing, however, so stay sharp, pay

attention and don’t be afraid to make suggestions.