Malibu : City Spending Cuts Planned

Declining revenues in the 1993-94 fiscal year will force spending reductions in selected city departments, according to a proposed city budget issued Monday.

The city anticipates general fund revenues of about $6.9 million, down from $7.2 million last year. Expenditures out of the operating budget will total nearly $6.6 million, down from $6.8 million last year.

On the income side, the city will receive $188,000 less in property taxes than in 1992-93 because the state is keeping a larger share to cope with its own fiscal problems. Revenues from planning and building permit fees are expected to drop $230,000 because of reduced building activity and reductions in some fees.

The Malibu City Council has scheduled public hearings June 14 and June 28 on the budget, with final adoption expected on the 28th.

Among the programs designated for budget reductions are planning services, environmental and building review services, public recreation services and animal control.

The city plans to hire an in-house public works director and secretary, and maintain other existing positions during the coming year, Assistant City Manager Mark Lorimer said.

Law enforcement, the city’s largest single expense, will cost about $200,000 more for the same level of service provided under a contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The city paid the county $3.4 million during 1992-93 for general law enforcement, traffic enforcement, parking enforcement and drug education services at local schools. The cost of the contract will increase by $196,850 to cover cost-of-living increases for sheriff’s deputies.

Copies of the proposed budget are available for public review at City Hall and at the Malibu Public Library. The document also can be bought for $20.