Calabasas Expects Painless Budget Process

Unlike its older neighbors, the 3-year-old city of Calabasas is expected to skate through this year’s budget process without having to make painful cuts or scrape for new revenues.

City officials expect a $6.6-million spending plan for next fiscal year that is nearly identical to this year’s budget, with a surplus of $735,000, according to budget guidelines approved at a special meeting of the City Council Wednesday night.

“We’re newly incorporated, so we haven’t issued any debt yet,” said Calabasas Finance Director Sheila Cumberland. “Most of the (financial) problems cities are having are related to debt.”

Although next year’s budget probably won’t include any debt, Cumberland said, the city may choose to borrow money in the near future if the council decides to build a parking structure near Old Town or undertake some other large project.

“Things will begin to change for us once we start to put our General Plan and the Old Town Master Plan into practice, and we really know where we’re going,” Cumberland said. “Right now, we’re still finishing those things.”

The guidelines approved this week suggest that developing a draft budget by May 18 will be a low-key process, said City Manager Charles Cate, although a higher priority will be placed on some projects.

City officials also hope to make major strides on plans for a gymnasium and community center, the Juan de Anza Park and the renovation of the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Club, most of which will be funded by Los Angeles County park bond money.

Other goals include putting into practice new zoning guides and plans for the renovation of Old Town, as well as the annexation of the Leonis Adobe, Sagebrush Cantina, Motion Picture and Television Fund and half of a housing tract on the northeast side of town.

Unlike Agoura Hills, Los Angeles and other cities, Calabasas has been relatively unaffected by the regionwide economic slump.

“I think one of the things we’ve had going for us is we started as a city after things had already slowed economically,” said Mayor Marvin Lopata. “Things were slow, and we were just gearing up.”