Proposed $3.3M Budget Cuts
[ Excerpt from "City unveils $3.3 million in budget cuts," by Eric Lindberg, DAILY SOUND, April 15, 2008 ]
In the first sweeping look at the City of Santa Barbara’s proposed $250 million operating budget for fiscal year 2009... finance staff outlined $3.3 million in suggested cuts to the general fund needed to keep the city on an even keel.
City Administrator Jim Armstrong blamed a sluggish economy and the ensuing lower-than-expected revenues for the need to make cuts. City leaders said estimates are on the cautious side due to uncertainty over the national economy, the state budget and other factors...
Among the proposed cuts — which will actually total $4.1 million to provide a cushion to absorb uncertainties — are cutbacks of $767,000 to police, $295,600 to fire, $234,300 to parks and recreation, and $326,900 to community development.
While several members of the council raised concerns over slashes to the police department’s budget, Armstrong said those cuts will be discussed and explained in full detail during four budget work sessions planned for the next few months. He assured the council that no patrol positions are being dropped.
However, Councilmember Das Williams, in addition to calling the $767,000 figure alarming, noted a proposed increase in emergency response time from 6:15 to 7:40.
“I haven’t declared war yet,” he said, “I’m just putting it on notice.”
Williams also called attention to rising administration costs in the police and fire budgets despite cuts in other areas of those departments.
“Those are just my two big red flags that I hope we look very hard at,” he said.
Slacking tax revenues, including sales tax, transient occupancy tax and utility users tax, are largely responsibly for the need to make cutbacks in the general fund, city Finance Director Robert Peirson said...
City leaders will delve into the specifics of the budget in coming weeks, beginning on April 25 from 1:30 to 4:30 in Council Chambers. That meeting will cover budgets for the mayor and council, city administrator’s office, city attorney, library, and parks and recreation.
Three other budget work sessions are planned, covering other city departments, and the complete schedule is available on the city’s website. Budget adoption is scheduled for June 24...
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For the full text of this article, please go to:
DAILY SOUND: Budget Cuts
In the first sweeping look at the City of Santa Barbara’s proposed $250 million operating budget for fiscal year 2009... finance staff outlined $3.3 million in suggested cuts to the general fund needed to keep the city on an even keel.
City Administrator Jim Armstrong blamed a sluggish economy and the ensuing lower-than-expected revenues for the need to make cuts. City leaders said estimates are on the cautious side due to uncertainty over the national economy, the state budget and other factors...
Among the proposed cuts — which will actually total $4.1 million to provide a cushion to absorb uncertainties — are cutbacks of $767,000 to police, $295,600 to fire, $234,300 to parks and recreation, and $326,900 to community development.
While several members of the council raised concerns over slashes to the police department’s budget, Armstrong said those cuts will be discussed and explained in full detail during four budget work sessions planned for the next few months. He assured the council that no patrol positions are being dropped.
However, Councilmember Das Williams, in addition to calling the $767,000 figure alarming, noted a proposed increase in emergency response time from 6:15 to 7:40.
“I haven’t declared war yet,” he said, “I’m just putting it on notice.”
Williams also called attention to rising administration costs in the police and fire budgets despite cuts in other areas of those departments.
“Those are just my two big red flags that I hope we look very hard at,” he said.
Slacking tax revenues, including sales tax, transient occupancy tax and utility users tax, are largely responsibly for the need to make cutbacks in the general fund, city Finance Director Robert Peirson said...
City leaders will delve into the specifics of the budget in coming weeks, beginning on April 25 from 1:30 to 4:30 in Council Chambers. That meeting will cover budgets for the mayor and council, city administrator’s office, city attorney, library, and parks and recreation.
Three other budget work sessions are planned, covering other city departments, and the complete schedule is available on the city’s website. Budget adoption is scheduled for June 24...
-----------------------------
For the full text of this article, please go to:
DAILY SOUND: Budget Cuts
Posted by Malcolm on
4/17/2008
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1 Comments
This may be easier said than done, but why aren't there any reserves to cover down years? Anyone who has ever done a budget can tell you there is a lot of crystal ball work involved. I understand the limited funds, but why don't we put some money in the budget for rainy days like these?
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