BUENA PARK : Budget-Cutting Plan Will Be Discussed

The City Council tonight will consider slashing an additional $2 million in jobs, programs and services from the budget in its continuing effort to keep the burgeoning deficit under control.

While residents won’t feel the pinch in their pocketbooks with increased fees or taxes, they could notice a reduction in services. Everything from employee Christmas gifts to the DARE program is on the chopping block during this latest round of cutbacks. And in a showing of just how serious things are, pink slips have already gone out to seven employees, a clear departure from previous policy to reduce staff through attrition.

But even if the council adopts all the recommended cuts, the budget will still be $2 million in the red, forcing the city to cover the gap with monies from an ever-dwindling reserve account.

“Obviously we had to do something,” said Director of Finance Greg Beaubien. “We feel that using a balanced approach of substantial reductions and the use of reserves is the appropriate measures to take at this time.”

Despite hopes of economic recovery, sales taxes and other sources of revenue continue to plummet, more than doubling the deficit in less than a year to $4 million. In less than two years, the council has had to trim $3.3 million from the budget to keep up.

The council will sift through an 11-page report detailing the cutbacks painstakingly suggested by department heads during the past few months. Five people have already lost their jobs in the process, while two others slated for layoffs escaped unemployment by transferring to other departments.

The Fire, Police and Public Works departments are hit hard with a total of more than $1 million in proposed reductions. The report also proposes that the city ask financially strapped school districts to chip in for the DARE program, reducing the city’s contribution by $93,000.

And animal control services, overtime for staffing at special city events such as the Silverado Days, and even city membership in such groups as the National League of Cities are also on the cutting block.

The budget hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. at City Hall, 6650 Beach Blvd.

Proposed Cuts at a Glance

Buena Park, which is facing a $4-million budget deficit, has proposed $2 million in cuts for fiscal 1992. A look at the amount of funding proposed to be reduced in each city department:

% of Total Department Amount Budget Reduced Police $472,273 4.3 Capital improvement plan 400,000 33.0 Public works 353,538 5.6 Fire 235,151 4.3 Parks and recreation 180,685 6.7 Non-departmental 82,000 14.3 Buildings and grounds 63,575 6.8 Administrative services 61,565 5.7 Equipment maintenance 56,940 5.7 Finance 37,028 5.2 Community support* 33,310 6.5 City manager 22,010 4.5 Development services** 21,866 1.8 City Council 12,405 5.3 Total $2,032,346

* Includes Convention and Visitors Office, Chamber of Commerce, Community Events

** Includes staff automobile use, rent for Code Enforcement Office

Source: City of Buena Park