City Is Reviewing $129.5-Million Budget

City Council members will discuss ways to spend parking meter revenue and review which city service fees can be increased during a budget workshop today.

In the past, the city has allocated off-street parking money for building parking lots, City Manager Kevin J. Murphy said. But city staffers have determined that at least $200,000 of parking revenue can be spent elsewhere.

All city services are being examined, and the council will weigh whether they are costing the city money, he said.

Friday’s meeting is designed to fine-tune the city’s $129.5-million budget for fiscal year 1996-97, which begins July 1. The spending plan will then go to a public hearing at Monday’s regular council meeting.

In contrast to last year’s budget, which had a $4 million deficit, this year’s budget is in the black, Administrative Services Director Dennis Danner said.

At the 4 p.m. public hearing, residents will have an opportunity to hear presentations on the cost of city services and the city finance committee’s findings after its four-session budget review, Danner said. The city’s economic position has improved because of a recovering economy, with city revenue exceeding forecasts, Danner said.

In addition, state and federal mandates--such as property tax shifts and building retrofitting for people with disabilities--that have drained city resources for five years, have ended.

Danner noted that the budget this fiscal year, which begins July 1, will also include a $500,000 increase in the city’s emergency reserve, bringing the fund to $5 million. The city’s target is $9 million, or 15% of its $52-million general fund operating expenditures. The City Council will meet in the City Hall council chambers conference room, 3300 Newport Blvd.

Information: (714) 644-3005.