AGOURA HILLS : Panel Calls for Cuts, Higher Service Fees

Based on predictions that city income will fall more than 10% next year, Agoura Hills is considering new taxes and cuts in recreation, street sweeping and other services to balance its 1993-94 budget, city officials said Monday.

In anticipation of the drop in revenues, a panel of 25 Agoura Hills residents is expected to recommend later this month that the City Council trim all but essential services to maintain public safety funding at its current level of $1.7 million, said former City Manager Vince Mastrosimone, who presided over the citizen meetings.

The council-appointed residents’ panel also is expected to urge city officials to increase fees for services before raising taxes across-the-board, said Mastrosimone, who now heads the public works department.

“We’re looking at a significant reduction in our budget,” Mastrosimone said. “The option to raise revenues shouldn’t be underplayed. It’s something that will need to gain a lot of public acceptance before it’s approved by the council.”

Street improvements and other public works projects also may be put on hold, and a proposal to construct a library will probably be postponed, Mastrosimone said. The council also may consider ending city sponsorship of recreational programs, such as tennis lessons, concerts and holiday events, he said.

More than half of the anticipated $600,000 budget gap is expected because of a decline in the city’s share of state property tax. Other losses are anticipated from the repeal of the cigarette tax, while fees for Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department services probably will go up, said Elaine Graves, the city’s budget director.

The council is scheduled to start considering the 1993-94 budget May 26.