SANTA ANA : Council OKs Budget, Citywide Cutbacks

The City Council has unanimously approved its 1993-94 budget, including $19 million in cuts and increased fees.

The $121.7-million budget, which the council approved Monday after months of public discussion, calls for staff reductions in police, fire and virtually every other department. The council rejected a cable television tax and a recommendation to close the McFadden Branch Library.

“To see a 7-0 vote on a budget that nobody wanted is really a remarkable achievement,” Mayor Daniel H. Young said at the council meeting. Still, he added that adopting the new fees and cuts “wasn’t a lot of fun.”

“We did make some sacrifices,” said Councilwoman Lisa Mills, referring to the numerous cuts in both employees and programs.

About 85 people will lose their jobs as part of the spending plan. They include 12 Police Department employees, 15 in the Planning Department, and 18 community development employees.

City workers agreed to forgo a 3% pay increase, which would have gone into effect July 1. City Councilman Robert L. Richardson praised the city employees’ union for the concession, which he called “monumental.” That agreement will save the city about $1.2 million.