$671-Million Budget Plan Set for Approval

After spending an extra week reviewing a $671-million budget proposal for the next fiscal year, City Council members are expected today to adopt the plan.

The 1997-98 spending plan includes a $141-million operating budget that pays for city services and recommends adding 10 full-time positions--bringing the total to 2,049 full-time employees.

Last week, city officials proposed about $300,000 in citywide improvements, including a program to replace old and outdated signs in public areas and a project to add landscaping along State College Boulevard from Anaheim Stadium north to the Riverside Freeway.

A new Neighborhood Improvement Fund of $500,000 is also proposed.

The council also will consider amending an agreement with St. Louis-based Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum Inc. to provide construction administration services for the Anaheim Convention Center expansion project for an amount not to exceed $2.7 million.

Also, the council will consider an agreement with Turner Construction Co. in Irvine for about $2 million to provide support staff services during the construction of the convention center. Both consultants would be paid through Anaheim Resort bond proceeds.

The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in council chambers, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd. A 3 p.m. workshop on the convention center project also is scheduled. Information: (714) 254-5166.