MOORPARK : City OKs Tentative $13-Million Budget

The Moorpark City Council has approved a tentative budget that includes a staff hiring freeze but no substantial cuts in city services.

The council this week approved a $13-million budget for the fiscal year that began Wednesday. It holds down spending in anticipation of the state’s possible reclaiming of traditional city revenues, such as vehicle license fees.

Under the budget, the city cannot hire staff except to fill vacant positions for community development director, parks director and associate planner.

Cost-of-living increases for staff members will be postponed until the state budget is approved, Deputy City Manager Richard Hare said.

The budget, approved Monday, also includes cuts to some smaller programs, such as a 50% reduction in city funding for the Handicapped Equestrian Learning Program, which teaches horseback riding to handicapped youths. The city contributed $3,000 last year toward the program, operated by Moorpark resident Pete Peters. But the council decided to cut funding this year because only two of the participants were Moorpark residents, Mayor Paul W. Lawrason Jr. said.

The city also canceled its Fourth of July fireworks display to save money.

Through such reductions, the council was able to maintain the existing level of city services without dipping into general fund reserves, Councilman Scott Montgomery said.

Montgomery said the budget even shows a general fund surplus of $221,000. The council has set this money aside until it knows the outcome of the state budget crisis, he said.

If the city’s revenues are left untouched by the state, the council may set aside its surplus funds for replacing old equipment and acquiring land for public use, Montgomery said.