BUENA PARK : City Budget Passed; Legislators Blasted

The City Council narrowly approved a $38-million budget Monday night, then issued strongly worded statements against state legislators who have proposed taking more resources from cities to balance the state budget.

“I’ve spent 18 years on this council and we have not experienced an economic situation as serious as I see it at this point,” Councilman Don R. Griffin said. “There has never been (until) this point the need for the depth of cuts that we’ve seen this year.”

The city cut $2 million to pass a balanced budget, but at the same time cut into its reserves, which will leave that fund with $338,000 at the end of 1993. Revenue is estimated at $38.5 million.

Council members Donald L. Bone and Donna L. Chessen tried to stall approving the budget until the city gets final word on the state’s budget, but were voted down by their three colleagues,

After approving the budget, council members issued separate statements denouncing the state government’s attempts to cut into local resources.

One proposal before the state would allow the shifting of property tax revenue from cities, counties and special districts to schools. Another would take vehicle license fees from cities and shift them to county governments. Together, those moves could take an additional $3.2 million from Buena Park’s budget.

“It seems that the state has the inability to bite the bullet that I feel this City Council and other city councils have done,” Bone said. “Especially in an election year, the state seems incapable of making tough decisions.”

Council members also decried state and federal mandates that they must follow or risk fines for withholding of revenue. Buena Park has spent $984,000 in the past year following state mandates, Bone said.

For example, the council on Monday approved using $12,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to hire a consultant to ensure that the city complies with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act, as required by the state.

“So we wind up at the city level taking care of the state mandates before we take care of city needs,” Bone said. “It’s just time to stop, folks. It’s just time to stop.”

The city has also eliminated 53 positions in the past two years and may have to cut more if the state budget requires further cuts, Bone said.

The city’s budget does not include salary or benefit increases, nor does it call for reductions in services, said Finance Director Greg Beaubien. It reflects a growth of 1%, compared to the average growth of 5% or 6% in past years.