ANAHEIM : City Council to Act Tuesday on Budget

The City Council is scheduled to adopt a $538-million city budget Tuesday, with large increases planned for the police and fire departments but with reductions in other areas, including libraries and public works. No new taxes are planned.

Public hearings on the budget are scheduled for 2 and 5 p.m. at City Hall, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd.

The Police Department is scheduled to receive $53 million during the fiscal year that begins July 1. That is an increase of about $4 million over the current year. The department plans to add six officers and five civilian employees.

The Fire Department is scheduled to receive about $26 million, an increase of $2 million. Much of the increase will be used to open a new fire station in Anaheim Hills and improve the department’s dispatch system.

The city’s five libraries will see their budget cut to $5.6 million, a loss of $700,000. Library officials say fewer books will be bought and some children’s programming will be cut.

Public works officials say that because of the $5 million to be cut from their department’s budget this year, the city’s roads will continue to deteriorate. They estimate that because of budget shortfalls in recent years, they are now $52 million behind in road repairs. The department’s budget is projected at $27 million.

The city’s budget has two major parts, the general fund and public utilities, plus several smaller parts that pay for specific operations such as Anaheim Stadium and the Convention Center.

The general fund, which pays for traditional city functions such as police and fire protection, libraries and parks, is projected at $136 million--an increase of about $4 million over the current year--if the city receives full state funding. However, officials are bracing for a possible cut of $11.8 million in state funding that could occur next month.

The city expects to raise $34.6 million in sales taxes during the next 12 months. The city had sales tax revenues of $34.9 million this fiscal year and $36.5 million two years ago. Officials blame the drop on the recession and a slump in the tourism industry.

The public utility budget is scheduled to be $285 million during the next 12 months, an increase of $12 million over the current fiscal year. Officials say the increase is necessary because of the rising cost of water and electricity on the wholesale market, and to improve the department’s pumping and generating facilities.