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.
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