Culver City : Police, Fire Cuts Proposed

Four police officer positions and four firefighter spots would be lost next fiscal year if the Culver City Council approves staff recommendations for trimming the city’s 1988-89 budget.

Under the proposed budget, the Police Department would also lose eight community service officers, civilian employees who perform mainly clerical duties, and the Fire Department would lose all eight fire cadets, who repair and maintain firefighting equipment, according to Chief Administrative Officer Dale Jones. At present, the Police Department has 102 officers and the Fire Department has 66 firefighters.

“It’s a very typical (recommendation),” Jones said. “The only difference this year is that we’re going to have to make some cuts. Either this year or next year (the council) is going to have to do it, or raise revenues.”

Last year, the council decided against a similar proposal to reduce spending on the city’s Police and Fire departments, despite deficit problems in recent years. The council instead balanced the budget with $1.3 million from a reserve fund, which is down to $2.5 million this year.

Both the police and fire chiefs maintain that the proposed cuts would sharply reduce their departments’ efficiency and service.

“I’m hoping the council will find a way to at least fund the status quo,” said Fire Chief Michael L. Olson.

The council’s first budget meeting will be at City Hall on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The council is scheduled to vote on the $49.5-million budget on June 27.