THOUSAND OAKS : Emergency Budget Meeting Scheduled
The Thousand Oaks City Council has called for an emergency meeting Monday to discuss possible cuts in state funding that could affect the city’s $63.7-million budget.
The council will meet at 7:30 a.m. at City Hall, 2150 W. Hillcrest Drive, Mayor Robert E. Lewis said in a statement released Friday.
Lewis criticized the state’s proposal to slash property tax and vehicle license fee revenues to cities in order to offset an $11-billion budget shortfall.
The potential cuts for Thousand Oaks would amount to about $4.3 million, officials estimate.
“To put it into some perspective, $4.3 million represents more than half our police budget, or our entire library budget,” Lewis said. “The situation is alarming, to say the least.”
Mayor Pro Tem Judy Lazar said she hopes the council will draft a plan of action to reduce the cuts. Last year, losses in state funding resulted in the layoffs of 35 workers. Some of the employees were later rehired.
“Right now we’re looking at horrendous amounts,” Lazar said.
“Last year’s reductions in personnel look small in comparison to the cuts we would have to take if what’s proposed goes through.”
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