LAGUNA NIGUEL : Budget Cuts Spending but Not City Services

The City Council gave final approval this week to a $16.3-million budget for the next fiscal year that decreases spending while maintaining or expanding current services.

Spending is down 18% from last year’s budget, primarily in the area of major park and street improvements due to the completion of the $3.3-million Sea Country Senior and Community Center, which opened June 25.

One of this year’s main projects in that portion of the budget will be the creation of Colinas de Capistrano Park at a cost of $175,000.

Police services spending will increase by 1% in fiscal year 1994-1995, as the city pays $213,000 for two additional sheriff’s deputies to patrol Laguna Niguel. Police Chief Joseph Davis said the two new deputies are needed because of population growth and increased commercial development in the city.

In approving the budget, the council authorized spending $35,000 to implement a “Shop Laguna Niguel” marketing program along with the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce.

Casey said the city expects property tax revenue to fall by $120,000, but sales tax revenue to rise by $200,000 thanks to the opening of several new restaurants and a Mervyn’s department store.

The council also appropriated $200,000 to be used for planning studies on future uses of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, in conjunction with other South County cities. Any specific use of the money in that fund will have to be approved by the council.