AGOURA HILLS : $4.9-Million Budget Cuts 7 City Positions

After eluding the worst fiscal crunch in the city’s 12-year history, the Agoura Hills City Council has adopted a budget for the next fiscal year that includes laying off seven employees.

At its regular meeting Wednesday night, the council unanimously approved a $4.9-million spending plan that shaves $270,000 from last year’s budget, including the layoffs of two full-time employees and five part-time workers.

“This obviously reduces the levels of service we are able to provide,” said City Manager Terry Matz. “It means longer processing time for code enforcement and fewer planning hours available for the public. We have to try to absorb the workload.”

The council also cut employee benefits.

Also eliminated were an after-school recreation program at Yerba Buena Elementary School, which cost $11,000, and $7,000 worth of contributions to events such as Pony Express Days and the Great Race of Agoura.

Approval of the budget comes after the city offset most of a $1-million projected shortfall next year by approving a tax on the use of electricity, gas and telephone service.