Council Approves $44.9-Million Budget

The Camarillo City Council approved an annual budget Wednesday that calls for spending almost $45 million over the fiscal year that begins next month.

The two-inch-thick budget includes more than $10 million for capital improvements, and another $10 million for water and sewer projects. There is $10.8 million designated for the discretionary general fund.

The 1996-97 spending plan anticipates a total of $44.9 million in revenue and about $44.5 million in expenses.

There is room in the budget for several new city employees, including two new police officers. Money was also set aside to add two part-time clerks and one full-time street maintenance worker.

The budget also calls for spending more than $297,800 on city legal fees, $591,000 on maintaining City Hall, $13,000 on travel and meeting expenses for council members, and nearly $12,000 on dues and publications for council members.

Camarillo remains in strong fiscal shape, taking in about $400,000 more than what city officials plan to spend.

“All in all, the city and the Camarillo Sanitary District remain in good financial condition,” City Manager Bill Little said in his budget report to the council.