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Council approves budget
David Gordon casts the lone dissenting vote to adopt plan that cuts programs, freezes jobs in response to shortfall.
By Christopher Cadelago
CITY HALL — The City Council on Tuesday voted 4 to 1 to adopt a balanced $774-million budget starting July 1 that included a series of program cuts, position freezes and fee hikes to bridge an anticipated $7.2-million general-fund shortfall for next year.
The state budget crisis, growing unemployment and sliding revenues contributed to the projected deficit, which is expected to grow to $11.5 million by fiscal year 2013-14. Each department was asked to cap costs, refrain from creating new positions and cut spending by 5%.
City officials, facing the first forecasted decline in sales revenue in nine years, offered a slimmed-down general-fund budget of $147 million. At roughly 19% of the total budget, the general fund pays for city services like libraries and police. Of that money, 80% is earmarked for employee salaries and benefits.
“In light of the overall financial situation in the state and nation, I think the budget that we adopted is a good one,” Councilman Dave Golonski said. “I think the scope of our challenges on the economic front probably pale in comparison to the position that other cities are in right now. But I don’t think it’s the end of the story.”
Councilman David Gordon cast the lone dissenting vote.
Burbank could be out $3.4 million under a proposal that calls on cities to loan the state 8% of their property tax revenues from fiscal year 2008-09.
The funds must be paid back with interest within three years, and the city plans to work closely with the League of California Cities, which called the governor’s borrowing plan reckless, contending that cities could not afford to bail out the state when they are already adopting deep cuts to balance their budgets.
“If there is a saving grace, it’s a loan that must be paid back,” Golonski said.
Public safety budgets, which make up about 50% of the general fund, came in at roughly $42 million for the Police Department and $29 million for the Fire Department. While a requisite 5% cut to the police budget would have shaved $1.85 million, the department came up short despite freezing two vacant police officer positions, one senior animal control officer and one forensic specialist.
“We’d rather not freeze safety positions, but I think the level that we are doing it at is something we have to keep our eye on,” Golonski said.
The council last month reinstated one kennel attendant, two police cadet positions and a county probation officer contract, but opted to cut five field-training officer meetings per year, the “Street Beat” public access television program and police presence at school events.
“You try your best to make trims rather than cutting programs entirely,” Mayor Gary Bric said. “Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way, and we have to start thinking about challenges ahead.”
The Fire Department met its goal of cutting 5%, or $1.27 million, by freezing four vacant firefighter positions, shifting titles and responsibilities of a captain and decreasing daily staffing for a six-month period.
But the most contentious issue of the monthlong budget discussion was a slate of proposed rate increases, including hikes to water, electric, trash collection and sewer rates, as well as various city services.
The breakdown pencils out to an added $6.50 for water, $8 for electric, $2 for trash collection and $1 for sewer services, not including overage charges under a new rate structure for water.
Gordon continued his four-year streak of voting down the budget based on fee increases, which he again characterized as “draconian.”
“I am deeply concerned about the utility rate increases and fee increases overall,” Gordon said. “I feel that the notification that was sent out was not readily understandable, was done in a way that was confusing, and reduced the number of people who would speak out against it.”
He added that he pored over volumes of city credit card statements and discovered charges at expensive Las Vegas resorts as well as with area nonprofits. City Manager Mike Flad said most conferences take place in Las Vegas, and the city has a history of supporting nonprofits.
Gordon and Golonski said they looked for ways to curb spending, particularly on professional-services agreements, and the council plans to convene a task force to identify inefficiencies.
The $7.6-million general-fund budget for the Community Development Department, $6.3 million of which goes to salaries and benefits, included an 8% reduction. It includes freezing several vacant positions and shifting around several others.
Other changes to the department budget include increasing the taxicab business license fee from $242 to $400 and the tobacco retail license fee from $200 to $300. Parks, Recreation and Community Services will sustain cuts of $615,728, including the elimination of one Starlight Bowl concert and an $8,000 discretionary account.
The council last month appropriated $67,952 to prevent having to close one library one night per week, freed up $15,000 to extend by one year a crossing guard outside Edison Elementary and reduced its boards and commissions dinner down to $10,000.
The state budget crisis, growing unemployment and sliding revenues contributed to the projected deficit, which is expected to grow to $11.5 million by fiscal year 2013-14. Each department was asked to cap costs, refrain from creating new positions and cut spending by 5%.
City officials, facing the first forecasted decline in sales revenue in nine years, offered a slimmed-down general-fund budget of $147 million. At roughly 19% of the total budget, the general fund pays for city services like libraries and police. Of that money, 80% is earmarked for employee salaries and benefits.
“In light of the overall financial situation in the state and nation, I think the budget that we adopted is a good one,” Councilman Dave Golonski said. “I think the scope of our challenges on the economic front probably pale in comparison to the position that other cities are in right now. But I don’t think it’s the end of the story.”
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Burbank could be out $3.4 million under a proposal that calls on cities to loan the state 8% of their property tax revenues from fiscal year 2008-09.
The funds must be paid back with interest within three years, and the city plans to work closely with the League of California Cities, which called the governor’s borrowing plan reckless, contending that cities could not afford to bail out the state when they are already adopting deep cuts to balance their budgets.
“If there is a saving grace, it’s a loan that must be paid back,” Golonski said.
Public safety budgets, which make up about 50% of the general fund, came in at roughly $42 million for the Police Department and $29 million for the Fire Department. While a requisite 5% cut to the police budget would have shaved $1.85 million, the department came up short despite freezing two vacant police officer positions, one senior animal control officer and one forensic specialist.
“We’d rather not freeze safety positions, but I think the level that we are doing it at is something we have to keep our eye on,” Golonski said.
The council last month reinstated one kennel attendant, two police cadet positions and a county probation officer contract, but opted to cut five field-training officer meetings per year, the “Street Beat” public access television program and police presence at school events.
“You try your best to make trims rather than cutting programs entirely,” Mayor Gary Bric said. “Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way, and we have to start thinking about challenges ahead.”
The Fire Department met its goal of cutting 5%, or $1.27 million, by freezing four vacant firefighter positions, shifting titles and responsibilities of a captain and decreasing daily staffing for a six-month period.
But the most contentious issue of the monthlong budget discussion was a slate of proposed rate increases, including hikes to water, electric, trash collection and sewer rates, as well as various city services.
The breakdown pencils out to an added $6.50 for water, $8 for electric, $2 for trash collection and $1 for sewer services, not including overage charges under a new rate structure for water.
Gordon continued his four-year streak of voting down the budget based on fee increases, which he again characterized as “draconian.”
“I am deeply concerned about the utility rate increases and fee increases overall,” Gordon said. “I feel that the notification that was sent out was not readily understandable, was done in a way that was confusing, and reduced the number of people who would speak out against it.”
He added that he pored over volumes of city credit card statements and discovered charges at expensive Las Vegas resorts as well as with area nonprofits. City Manager Mike Flad said most conferences take place in Las Vegas, and the city has a history of supporting nonprofits.
Gordon and Golonski said they looked for ways to curb spending, particularly on professional-services agreements, and the council plans to convene a task force to identify inefficiencies.
The $7.6-million general-fund budget for the Community Development Department, $6.3 million of which goes to salaries and benefits, included an 8% reduction. It includes freezing several vacant positions and shifting around several others.
Other changes to the department budget include increasing the taxicab business license fee from $242 to $400 and the tobacco retail license fee from $200 to $300. Parks, Recreation and Community Services will sustain cuts of $615,728, including the elimination of one Starlight Bowl concert and an $8,000 discretionary account.
The council last month appropriated $67,952 to prevent having to close one library one night per week, freed up $15,000 to extend by one year a crossing guard outside Edison Elementary and reduced its boards and commissions dinner down to $10,000.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of burbankleader.com.
WLEaton wrote on Jul 1, 2009 6:53 PM:
" "The Fire Department met its goal of cutting 5%, or $1.27 million, by freezing four vacant firefighter positions, shifting titles and responsibilities of a captain and decreasing daily staffing for a six-month period."
I believe this excerpt from the article "Council Aproves Budget", undestates the significance of the fire department's cuts. The department has chosen to close Station 14 at Burbank near Buena Vista for 6 months, citing no change in quality of service... a rediculous position. Call it a "brown out" or a closure, but bottom line, there is nobody in this station there to respond to your emergency calls. The next available Engine would need to respond
from Station 12, 13, 15. July 1, 2009 marked the first day of the fire station closure. Citizens need to contact the city manager, inetrim fire chief and council members. "
I believe this excerpt from the article "Council Aproves Budget", undestates the significance of the fire department's cuts. The department has chosen to close Station 14 at Burbank near Buena Vista for 6 months, citing no change in quality of service... a rediculous position. Call it a "brown out" or a closure, but bottom line, there is nobody in this station there to respond to your emergency calls. The next available Engine would need to respond
from Station 12, 13, 15. July 1, 2009 marked the first day of the fire station closure. Citizens need to contact the city manager, inetrim fire chief and council members. "
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