TUSTIN : Budget Plan Lists Park, 9 More Police

The city’s $79-million proposed budget for the next fiscal year includes construction of a new park in east Tustin and the addition of nine positions in the Police Department.

The City Council discussed the budget in a meeting Tuesday and set another budget hearing for June 26. The council is expected to adopt it in early July.

The proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 reflects increases of about 20% for police expenses and 10% for Fire Department costs.

In the last two years, the budget for the Community Development Department has gone from less than $1 million to almost $2 million for the coming year.

“There’s been a lot of adding of staff in community development just to keep pace with the development,” City Manager William A. Huston said.

This year, the community development budget includes money for one new position and for one-time costs such as an update of the city’s general plan and an airport noise monitoring program.

The city budget also includes construction of a $1.3-million fire station in east Tustin near Jamboree Road and Portola Parkway, a $380,000 neighborhood park in Tustin Ranch and a $300,000, 20-acre sports complex.

The city also set aside $175,000 for a system that will automatically turn stop lights red on Newport Bouleard and Red Hill Avenue to allow emergency vehicles through. Those streets are expected to be particularly congested during construction of the Santa Ana Freeway.