SAN CLEMENTE : Workshop to Examine Proposed City Budget

The City Council will hold a public workshop tonight to review its proposed $67.4-million budget, which includes $17.7 million for a program to repair city streets, sewers and parks.

“It’s the largest capital improvement project the city has entered into,” said City Manager Mike Parness.

The budget includes a proposal to create an assessment district to help fund repair of the worst streets in the city, such as parts of Avenida Presidio and Avenida Cabrillo. Residents would be asked to chip in $1.5 million a year toward the street improvement program--$18 to $90 a year per household.

The city would contribute about $2.4 million a year, $700,000 of which would come from the general fund this fiscal year.

The city’s proposed $21.8-million general fund budget is 4% more than last year’s, mostly because of contributions to the street improvement program, said Finance Director Paul Gudgeirsson. After five years of downsizing, the city is finally ready to begin addressing neglected infrastructure needs, he said.

Other fee increases in the proposed budget include:

* A $16-a-year increase in fees households pay to a lighting and landscaping district to help fund improvements at city parks and beaches;

* An average increase of 91 cents a month per household for waste disposal services. The increase will offset Orange County’s 54% hike in landfill fees.

Tonight’s workshop, which will be televised on Channel 30, will be at 6:30 in council chambers. A second workshop will be held Tuesday if the council does not complete its budget review.