Spending Dips, Services Kept Under Proposed City Budget

City Manager Daniel E. Keen has unveiled a proposed 1996-97 city budget that forecasts more services but slightly less overall spending than in the current fiscal year.

“It is a budget which maintains the high service levels which La Palma’s residents and businesses have enjoyed for many years,” Keen said.

The current budget is $5,393,700. Next fiscal year’s budget would lower expenditures to $5,295,300.

The new city budget would go into effect July 1.

The City Council last week discussed but did not vote on the proposed spending plan. A public hearing will be June 4, and the council will probably vote on the matter at that meeting.

Keen told the council that voluntary spending cuts in some areas, including the Police Department, helped in planning a reduced budget. But he emphasized that many city services could actually expand.

Park and recreation spending would increase about 7.3% in the new budget. Keen said this would reflect the council’s goal of providing more youth services and cultural activities.

Although the Police Department is anticipating spending $18,000 less, officials expect to spend $189,000 more on police patrols.

The proposed budget drew criticism in two areas. Councilwoman Eva Miner Bradford questioned the necessity for $151,000 in police overtime next year, and Councilwoman Charlene Hatakeyama criticized a lack of multicultural programs by the Recreation and Community Services Department.

Responding to Bradford, Keen said the new police budget calls for $26,000 less than the current budget for police overtime. “Overtime is an issue for all departments, and we are concerned at the staff level as you are,” Keen said.

In response to Hatakeyama’s criticism, recreation officials said renewed efforts would be made to provide multicultural events and activities.