San Dimas : Meeting on Budget Woes

Facing an estimated $1-million reduction in state funding, the San Dimas City Council has scheduled a town hall meeting Tuesday night to explain the budget woes and ask residents for advice on how to grapple with them.

Council members and city staff officials will give an overview of the city’s budget, and county officials will help explain how county budget cuts may affect local sheriff’s, fire and library services. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Stanley Plummer Community Building, 245 E. Bonita Ave.

Council members also will ask residents for advice on ways to combat graffiti, which has cost the city about $40,000 for cleanup in the last year. That is about twice as much as was spent the prior year, city officials said.

City Manager Don Pruyn estimates the state will allocate about $1 million less this year to the city and its redevelopment agency. Meanwhile, imminent county budget cuts threaten to close the city’s lone sheriff’s station, reduce library hours and the materials and programs it can offer, and reduce fire protection services.

To help offset the loss of state funds for fiscal year 1993-94, Pruyn said, the city has cut three vacant positions--two public works jobs and an administrative aide--and will lay off four workers by the end of the month. The layoffs include two in the community development department, one in facilities maintenance and another in the city’s cable operation.

Although no agenda has been set, the council also has scheduled town hall meetings for July 27 and Oct. 26.