Community Directors OK $462,000 Budget
Community directors have approved the first budget in five years that avoided reserve spending, but four jobs were eliminated to achieve the balance.
“It’s very difficult to suggest that we reduce our staff,” said James S. Mocalis, general manager of the district. “We have wonderful employees. I am very regretful.”
Community directors will review the $462,000 general fund budget this summer to see if there is a way to make up the $64,000 cost of employing the workers: one full-time and three part-time maintenance positions.
Directors voted 4 to 1 last week to approve the budget, which also includes cuts in street-sweeping and tree-trimming contracts.
Director Ted Kozak cast the dissenting vote, saying it was wrong to cut jobs while still spending $5,000 on a Fourth of July fireworks show at the Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center.
Since 1993, Rossmoor suffered a 49% revenue drop when the state began keeping a greater share of the property taxes, officials said.
Unlike other affected cities, Rossmoor--with only one business in town--was unable to make up the shortfalls through sales tax proceeds.
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