CULVER CITY : Council Approves Reduced 1995-96 Spending Plan

The Culver City Council has approved an $85.5-million budget for the 1995-96 fiscal year--about $6 million less than last year’s budget.

The 1994-95 budget was higher because it included $11 million to build a new headquarters for the city’s bus lines, according to Diane Hadland, an assistant to the city’s chief administrative officer. Construction of that building has been delayed, however, so the city did not include the project in its upcoming spending plan, she said.

The unanimous approval Monday of the budget did not come without debate, however, as council members argued over whether to create a new fund within the budget that would pay for Culver City’s participation in the Southern California Joint Powers Consortium.

The cost of utilities and maintenance for the new City Hall will be one of the city’s largest new expenses for the fiscal year that began Saturday, costing taxpayers $412,000. The city also plans to hire a police officer and a sergeant.

As part of the 1995-96 budget, council members approved a new energy account, agreeing to earmark up to $50,000 of taxes and fees paid by new and existing utility companies.

The money would finance Culver City’s role in the consortium--a group of Westside and South Bay cities fighting Southern California Edison Co. for lower electric rates.