Budget sparks little public response

Barbara Diamond

The city’s proposed 2003-04 budget sparked little public interest if

the crowd at the workshop Saturday is any criterion.

Only eight members of the public showed up, four fewer than the 12

city officials and staff that attended to hash over the $50.5-million

budget.

“I want to know where the taxpayers are,” Councilwoman Elizabeth

Pearson said. “They are the ones that should be concerned about how

we spend their money.”

City Manager Ken Frank drafted the proposed budget. The draft does

not include any increases in services or staff or the addition of any

ongoing projects.

Frank did not recommend a reduction in staff for the coming fiscal

year, but warned that the public should be aware of ominous signs for

the future.

“I am not surprised the public isn’t here,” Councilman Wayne

Baglin said. “It’s boring. But I am frustrated at the lack of

participation at this time when we are spending more than $50 million

and what it will be when we discuss the $180,000 community grant

funds.”

Councilman Steven Dicterow, who missed his fifth council meeting

out of the last nine, was appointed in absentia to review grant

requests with Mayor Toni Iseman and make recommendations.

Requests always exceed funds.

The council has the final say on how to spend the general fund, an

estimated $32 million this year. The rest of the $50.5 million is

allocated to funds that can only be spent for specific purposes, such

as sewer repairs and street lighting.

Frank said the city needs to prepare to tighten its belt starting

with the 2004-05 budget because of increased expenses beyond its

control and decreased revenue.

The city may have to suck it up even sooner if the state takes a

bigger cut of property taxes or vehicle license fees to balance its

own 2003-04 budget. Unlike the state, the city must approve a

balanced budget by July 1.

“I don’t see this as a transitional budget,” Baglin said. “I see

it as an eat, drink and be merry budget.”

He proposed consolidating the city’s community service and

administrative services departments and eliminating staff.

“We should start to pull back this year, so it won’t be so

dramatic next year,” Pearson said. “I would like all of us to look at

ways to raise money and to save money and share it with the city

manager.”

The meeting wasn’t all about cold cash.

Peggy Wolf and Shelley Jones pleaded for the rocket ship at

Bluebird Park to be included in the budget and offered to raise funds

for it.

Their offer was accepted, and Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman kicked

it off with a $1,000 personal pledge.

Improvements to the park will cost about $1 million, excluding the

$120,000 rocket ship, the park icon.

The proposed budget did recommend capital improvements estimated

at $3.5 million, not including the relocation of the corporation

yard, the construction of the Village Entrance, the Community Center

on Third Street or what to do about the city’s transit system, which

is hemorrhaging money.

Copies of the draft budget can be reviewed at

www.lagunabeachcity.net, at City Hall and the Laguna Beach Library,

363 Glenneyre St.

The next budget hearing is scheduled for the June 17 City Council

meeting, at which budget approval is expected.