BREA : Planned Fees, Cuts Give Budget Cushion

The City Council will consider tonight a variety of cuts and fee increases to plug an estimated $310,000 shortfall in the city’s $26.2-million budget.

Across the board cuts are expected to save $386,000 while the fee increases will generate $110,000, according to a report by City Manager Frank Benest.

Benest said the cuts and fee increases would result in a $186,000 surplus, which would provide a cushion, “in the event the state feels compelled to raid local governments again in 1993-94.”

“The economy is still sluggish (and) the excess may be necessary if midyear adjustments are required,” Benest said.

He said the budget adjustment was necessary after the city lost $266,000 in property taxes, $25,000 in cigarette taxes and $19,000 in trailer registration fees, which may become permanent.

Over the past two years, he said, the city has cut spending by more than $2.5 million.

The bulk of the cuts--$140,000--will come from management services and general services. Among cuts proposed are reduction in the Public Employees Retirement System, $65,000, and delay in filling job vacancies, $57,000.

Also eliminated are some perks, including the annual Mayor’s Ball, dinners, meals during council meetings, employee orientation and conferences.

In police services, an officer in charge of driving-under-the influence cases was eliminated effective Oct. 1, for a savings of $53,000. A delay in hiring for the ladder truck in fire services would save $23,000.

In the Community Services Department, the July 4 fireworks would be discontinued, saving $11,000. Reduction of part-time hours and delay in filling an administrative clerk position would save more than $35,000.

The biggest revenue, an estimated $45,000, would come from increased fees for building permits. How much the fees will increase has not been set. There will also be hikes in blueprint fees, research fees and grading and permit fees.

Effective Jan. 1, there will be a $1 admission fee at the Brea Gallery and tickets at the city’s Young Actors’ Theater are expected to rise with a proposed 5% fee on box office receipts.