HUNTINGTON BEACH : New Mayor to Tackle Budget, Housing Plan

As Councilman Victor Leipzig stepped into the ceremonial role of mayor this week, he predicted that an arduous task as the city’s chief spokesman lay ahead of him.

What he didn’t expect was the fiscal crisis that enveloped Orange County his first week as mayor.

“It’s the worst municipal crisis that has occurred--and we are tied to it,” said Leipzig, who has spent most of his time staying on top of the fiscal fiasco and its effects on the city.

But Leipzig sees a number of other challenges the city will face next year.

Leipzig said that dealing with a deficit budget is among his top priorities. The council recently passed a $96-million general-fund budget for 1994-95, with a $912,000 shortfall.

“I think we’re going to have to have a combination of cutbacks and revenue increases,” Leipzig said. “The primary ingredient in the final solution is spending reductions.”

Leipzig also said that because of budget restraints, “holding the line and maintaining (the current) level of public safety is a challenge--and that’s not going to be easy.”

Regarding the controversial housing development proposed for the Bolsa Chica wetlands area, Leipzig said he wants the city more involved in the process. “We cannot ignore or pretend that development is not going to happen out there. We have to prepare for it,” he said.

He added that any development of the area would increase traffic and impact police, fire and water services. “We need to minimize the impacts and the number of homes,” he said.

Leipzig said he will continue to encourage public involvement in local government and strive to maintain an open-door policy. He plans to be in his City Hall office each Friday to be available to the public.

“I sure hope people come in and use the office hours,” he said. “I really want people to know that the mayor of Huntington Beach wants to deal with their issues.”