Budget Calls for Expanded Services

Expanded recreation and transportation services are included in a generally stable municipal budget, according to Ojai officials.

“We’re in pretty good financial shape,” City Manager Andy Belknap said Wednesday after presenting a $6.4-million preliminary budget to the City Council the previous night. Last year’s budget totaled $6.3 million.

The council is scheduled to adopt the budget June 23.

A strong economy and conservative spending in recent years have resulted in a reserve fund of about $3 million, up about $1 million since 1996, Belknap said.

The strong budget has led to an increase in the city’s recreation budget from about $233,000 to $236,000, he said. The money will provide more after-school programs for children.

Also, an influx of grant money for youth programs, including $12,000 for a youth employment service, will enable the city to continue to focus on children’s services, Belknap said.

Grant money is also behind the purchase of two new vehicles for the Ojai Trolley, which will allow expansion of the service to Mira Monte.

The single largest budget item is devoted to law enforcement. The city anticipates spending about $1.55 million for Ventura County Sheriff’s Department services this year, up about $100,000 from last year.

Still, this year’s budget is contingent upon voters’ passage in November of the city’s already implemented bed tax to ensure the tax’s validity under state law, Belknap said.