Culver City : 2-Year Budgeting Plan Passed

The City Council has approved a proposal by first-term Councilwoman Jozelle Smith to direct the Culver City staff to prepare future budgets based on two-year projections of spending and revenue.

The two-year budgeting plan allows the council to adopt a one-year budget along with a second one to be used as a guideline. The second budget would not become official until public hearings are conducted and a separate vote is taken by the council.

Roger Mansfield, assistant chief administrative officer, said that a two-year budget would save the city staff months of planning time during the second year.

The concept was opposed by Councilman Richard Brundo, who said it violated the City Charter, which states that budgets must be approved on a year-to-year basis. Brundo said that the city staff would be forced to spend more time planning for the next two years than for just one.

Smith said that the plan conforms to the City Charter because hearings would be held and a vote would be taken on the second budget. She said she proposed the concept because the city “could use some long-range planning.” The proposal passed by a 4-1 vote.