FILLMORE : Council Approves Interim Budget

The Fillmore City Council approved an interim budget for 1992-93 that cuts cost-of-living pay increases and dips into reserves to cover a $21,586 deficit.

The budget does not reflect deep cuts proposed by the state that could reduce Fillmore’s operating funds by 25%. But having the temporary budget will permit the city’s operations to continue uninterrupted when the new fiscal year begins July 1.

It also buys time for city staff to plan a budget-slashing strategy if expected cuts in state funding are confirmed, Finance Director Allen Coates told the council.

The interim spending plan, approved Tuesday, makes no cuts in present personnel, but a proposal to add a full-time fire captain to Fillmore’s volunteer Fire Department has been deleted.

“It didn’t seem appropriate to be adding a position, even though it’s needed, when we may be laying people off later,” City Manager Roy Payne said. Fire Chief Pat Askren remains the only full-salaried member of the department.

Keeping Fillmore’s budget balanced has been a juggling act since the slow pace of new development began putting the pinch on Fillmore’s general operations fund a few years ago, Coates said.

With about half of the nearly $2-million fund allocated for police services, little remains to be trimmed except personnel, Coates said. Some stress on the overburdened general fund was relieved for the coming year by shifting the cost for some employees’ salaries to redevelopment or water funds, which officials said reflects the kind of work an employee actually performs.

“Until the state acts, we just have to tread water and do the best we can,” Councilman Scott Lee said.