Huntington Beach Budget Under Fire
* Re “No New Taxes, Fees in Proposed Budget,” Aug. 12:
I believe Huntington Beach is remiss and possibly derelict in fiscal responsibility. We seem to think nothing of spending a fortune for an endless sea of what I would consider not critical [items]. But then we hear of 90-year-old, health-threatening sewer systems and deteriorated streets and sidewalks that have been the subject of recent lawsuits against the city.
The projected $16,000 per homeowner for infrastructure is absolutely ridiculous. In contrast, why do some Huntington Beach City Council members continue to draw up “wish lists” to burn up any budget surplus we may have?
Why do they give double-digit raises to city union employees, yet do not identify where the multimillion-dollar (and growing) budget is going to come from to pay for the raises and subsequent employee retirement benefit growth?
It makes one wonder how many millions of dollars Surf City could save by contracting the private sector and county public services, as many O.C. cities have done.
JAMES H. BRIDGES
Huntington Beach
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