GLENDALE : Proposed Budget Seeks No New Taxes

Glendale’s proposed $326-million 1994-95 fiscal year budget contains no new taxes, provides no increases in service levels and proposes only two new personnel.

City staff members and the City Council discussed the budget proposal, including the redevelopment agency budget and capital improvement projects, during a daylong study session Monday.

Officials were forced to use “entrepreneurial government” to mend a predicted $3.1-million deficit in the budget proposal, said City Manager David Ramsay.

He said the deficit was caused by the stubborn recession and a drop in key revenues--some provided to the city by the state--such as property tax, sales tax, building permits and interest income.

Officials plan to balance the budget by increasing fees for other cities that dump trash at the Scholl Canyon Landfill and by selling methane gas generated by the landfill to the city’s power company, said Ron Ahlers, executive assistant with the city’s finance division.

This year’s deficit was smaller than the $6-million gap that accompanied the $318-million 1993-94 budget, which forced officials to cut services.

The 1994-95 budget proposal includes $82 million for the city’s General Fund. About 70% of this money is slated for public safety, public works and housing, health and community development.

Special revenue funds, including accounts set up to benefit transit, community development, housing assistance, the criminal apprehension program and the city redevelopment agency, total $36 million.

Officials predict servicing the city’s debts will require $6 million. Capital improvement funds, set aside for development and renovation projects, account for $19 million.

Among the tough decisions faced by council members in approving this year’s budget are allocating money for a proposed police facility--which consultants have estimated could cost the city as much as $36 million.

Council members must also decide whether to provide redevelopment agency money to several theater groups that have asked the city to help them move to Glendale and to renovate a current theater facility.

Officials also are uncertain if negotiations with several city employees’ unions will result in salary increases that were not planned for in the 1994-95 budget proposal.

A public hearing on the budget has been scheduled during the City Council’s afternoon meeting on June 21. The council is to vote on the budget June 28.