Cuts, New Fees Eyed as Deficit Solutions

A balanced approach of cutting services and increasing revenue is the key in dealing with a projected $3-million to $5-million general-fund budget deficit next fiscal year, City Administrator Michael T. Uberuaga said.

The City Council, which expects to adopt the 1996-97 budget in September, has been reviewing possibilities in recent weeks for cutting back, among them service and job reductions.

City officials said they have received calls, letters and public comments objecting to some of the cutbacks proposed, especially one that would reduce outreach services to senior citizens.

But council members said they lean toward cutting back such programs rather than increasing fees or reducing services.

Other money-saving options would involve complicated negotiations.

Reducing employee salaries and benefits, for example, would require the city to go through labor talks with employee unions, Uberuaga said.

New revenue possibilities include raising business license fees, adding parking meters and imposing a sewer maintenance fee.

Library supporters, however, have opposed any proposal to install parking meters at Huntington Central Library, saying that would discourage use of the facility.

Whatever course the city follows, Councilman Peter M. Green said, he wants to make sure that cuts are not so severe that Huntington Beach “becomes a shabby, ill-kept city.”