HUNTINGTON BEACH : Council Faces Array of Financial Decisions

Tough budget decisions face the City Council on Monday after recent requests by residents and employees to spare cuts in public safety services and programs to senior citizens and the community.

The council plans to adopt the city’s 1994-95 budget Monday, although it has until Sept. 30 to take such action.

Firefighters urged the council to reject a proposed $410,000 cut to the Fire Department budget, and lifeguards asked that the Marine Safety Division be spared any reductions, saying such cutbacks could threaten public safety.

Others opposed proposed cutbacks to the Huntington Beach Community Band and reductions in mileage reimbursement for volunteer drivers who deliver meals to homebound seniors.

Residents asked that the council add funding for a full-time position at the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors Center. Councilman Ralph Bauer has also asked for $500,000 in additional funding for the Police Department.

“A safe city is the No. 1 priority on the council, and I just want to make sure we’re not ignoring that No. 1 priority,” he said.

City Administrator Michael T. Uberuaga told the council this week that the various budget requests total about $1.2 million. But he said there is only about $297,000 in surplus money available to restore cuts or to provide new services.

The total city budget proposed is $190 million, which includes all funds for 1994-95. Part of that total budget includes a proposed general fund budget of $94.23 million, nearly $2.5 million less than the present budget.