LAGUNA BEACH : Budget Has Funds for 2 New Police Officers

The City Council has unanimously approved a $28-million budget that calls for the hiring of two new police officers and hiking parking permit fees to help pay for it.

Generally, the spending plan passed Tuesday night did not change much compared to budgets of previous years.

Unlike some other Orange County cities struggling with losses from the county’s bankruptcy, Laguna Beach--still $1.2 million short as a result of that debacle--will not lay off city employees or seriously cut services.

“I think it’s a good budget,” Mayor Kathleen Blackburn said as her colleague Wayne L. Peterson quickly added: “And there’s no blood.”

The city will, however, reduce the amount it pays to several community services organizations and send notices to some that they will not receive financial support from the city after the 1995-96 fiscal year.

The new budget also will include $37,880 to pay for a full-time “fire prevention/emergency management specialist.”

Also part of the new budget, the annual parking permit fees, already bumped from $20 to $25 earlier this year, will cost $30. In addition, residents will have to pay $1.75 more per month in refuse and recycling fees.