Santa Monica : $166-Million Budget OKd

The city has approved a $166-million budget that will add 12 police officers to the 150-member force and provide for a new police station as part of a plan to beef up law enforcement.

The 1989-90 budget got final approval from the City Council on Tuesday night. The single dissenting vote came from Councilwoman Christine Reed, who objected to dipping into reserves to make up for a $4-million shortfall in income.

Under the budget, spending will increase 5.8% over last year. Income is projected at $149.9 million and expenditures are put at $154.5 million. Most of an additional $12 million for the police station is expected to come from bond proceeds.

Most of the debate at Tuesday’s meeting centered on whether more money should be allotted to neighborhood associations and social service agencies. The council finally voted an additional $50,000 to hire another staff organizer to work with the Mid-City Neighbors Assn. despite that group’s failure to meet several city requirements. The Mid-City group claimed that it needed help because of an onslaught of development in the neighborhood.

Other items on the city budget include a traffic management plan, an environment-monitoring program, child care and Sunday hours for the public library.