No layoffs, service cuts in new budget

The Huntington Beach City Council approved a $336.7-million budget this week, and city officials say it is balanced and saves some money for a rainy day.

The City Council voted Tuesday to approve the annual budget after a public hearing. The city didn’t have to lay anyone off or cut services in its 2008-09 budget, despite a tough economy, officials said.

“We’re pretty relieved that even though we have a pretty dismal state of the national economy, we were able to propose a budget that didn’t cut any services or employees, and we keep our service level the same,” Councilman Keith Bohr said. “We don’t have any libraries closing.”

City Treasurer Shari Friedenrich told council members that while sales tax revenues were weak, property taxes were looking better and had helped contribute to a balanced budget.

The budget, which covers all aspects of the city government’s projects and programs, will fund planning for Huntington Beach’s centennial events in 2009, scanning of city records into electronic form, expand Huntington Beach Library Internet service, and set aside enough to oversee the completion of the proposed Strand development downtown, according to city documents.

The budget spends $38.5 million on construction projects, which include: rehabilitation of major streets like Edwards and Magnolia streets; an expansion of the Edison sports complex, a building on the pier, and design of a skate park; replacement of old sewer and water mains; and transportation projects like upgrading traffic signals and rehabilitating bridges.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

$336,790,060 total

$2.5 million toward reserves to replace equipment

$6 million for arterial street repairs

$600,000 for traffic improvements.

$6.1 million for parks and beaches