COSTA MESA

The City Council this week unanimously approved an $81-million annual budget, but not before Councilwoman Heather K. Somers raised concerns about large increases in portions of the budget, including worker’s compensation and personnel development.

The increases were a result of the city’s restructuring of departments, which is actually expected to save $250,000 a year. But money had to be pulled from reserves to balance the budget.

Marc Puckett, the city’s treasurer and finance director, said $1.9 million was transferred from the city’s equipment replacement fund and self-insurance fund to balance the general fund.

City Manager Allan L. Roeder also asked the council to begin discussing within the next few months a way to achieve not only a balanced budget for next year but one that would accurately reflect the council’s policies.

“I would like to see the City Council assert more of its role and authority in establishing service levels and priorities,” he said. “Simply continuing service levels based on past practice or by precedent is not an accurate reflection of today’s realities and community needs.”