LA HABRA : City Council OKs ‘Bare-Bones’ Budget

The City Council last week approved a $40-million budget that includes funds for anti-gang, anti-graffiti and anti-narcotics programs and some small capital improvement projects.

Although the budget is balanced, City Manager Lee Risner warned that the state could take more than the expected $1.2 million from the city’s property tax revenue, forcing the city to cut police and fire services.

“Our proceeds in taxes are going literally entirely for public safety, and we don’t know what (the state) is going to take,” Risner said. “We think we’re right on target, but we could be wrong.”

The budget for fiscal year 1993-94 allocates $15,000 for paint for volunteers who cover up graffiti and about $270,000 to step up anti-narcotics and anti-gang programs run by police.

Also, the budget allows $75,000 for Bishop Street storm drainage improvements, which residents have been seeking for years.

The council voted unanimously to approve the budget.

“We probably need to provide more for the citizens of La Habra, but we’re losing sources of revenue,” Councilman Juan M. Garcia said.

“I think all of us would like more than we have,” Mayor William D. Mahoney added. “There’s just no fat in this (budget). It is an absolutely bare-bones budget, and I’m not so sure there are any bones in it.”