Cypress Budget Includes 12.9% Spending Boost

The city’s budget for the new fiscal year projects a 12.9% boost in spending, with most of the increase designated for street maintenance and other infrastructure improvements.

The City Council approved the $21.9-million spending plan Monday for fiscal 1996-97, which begins July 1. The projected spending increase comes to about $2.5 million.

The new budget gives the city’s Maintenance and Operation Department about $2.4 million more than in the current year, City Manager Darrell Essex said. Besides street maintenance, the money will be used to acquire land for the Senior Center, he said.

City Council members praised the budget’s emphasis on public safety as well.

Councilwoman Mary Ann Jones pointed out that 35.8% of the new budget goes for police protection and 22.2% for building and maintenance projects.

Councilwoman Cecilia L. Age said she is particularly pleased that Cypress has been able to provide high service levels despite not adopting a utility tax.

Mayor Walter K. Bowman said a recent state Supreme Court decision has put the fate of city utility taxes in doubt. “It’s a good thing we don’t have the utility tax,” he said, “because those that do may have to give the money back.”