Budget Revised to Add Parks Quicker

In an effort to speed development of new parks in Anaheim, Mayor Tom Daly scrutinized the budget at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, sparking a lively debate among council members about the city’s priorities.

The council passed the $660-million budget, but with the provision that city staff assemble a funding plan for several major parks projects over the next two to three years, rather than the five years proposed. It also specified a new west Anaheim library and increased funding toward the repair and maintenance of sidewalks, curbs and gutters.

The debate also prompted the council to defer approving $6.2 million slated for a new clubhouse at the Anaheim Hills Golf Course, $435,000 for a new scoreboard at the arena and $1.6 million for a general plan update.

“We’ve cut back on parks and libraries and it’s time to restore that balance,” said Daly.

He suggested that the city has money to quickly fund projects such as the renovation and expansion of La Palma Park, the acquisition of Maag Ranch in Anaheim Hills and the construction of a skateboard park. None were included in this year’s budget, but were included in a five-year plan drawn up after council members delayed approving the budget last week.

The city merely needs to set its priorities, said Daly. “I could go through this budget in 10 minutes and find $10 million,” he said.

Daly said the city has large reserves of $253 million it can dip into without sacrificing the budget’s integrity.

For example, he cited $7 million put aside for replacing city vehicles that won’t be spent this year.

“That’s an example of funds that could be available for our projects,” Daly said.

He also put Convention Center General Manager Greg Smith in the hot seat, grilling him over why the arena needs a new scoreboard. He also questioned Smith about plans for refurbishing the aging facility.

“We don’t have enough money to do a new library in west Anaheim, but we can do a new scoreboard?” he asked incredulously.

Some council members balked at Daly’s request to readjust the city’s priorities, saying the city should not sacrifice long-needed improvements such as those at the arena.

“We need parks. But we have other things needing attention,” said Councilwoman Lucille Kring, who added that she would like to see more money spent on sidewalk, curb and gutter repair. She acknowledged that tourist attractions bring in revenue, but said: “You cannot let your infrastructure deteriorate.”

Daly insisted that the city has too long invested in its tourist attractions at the expense of residents’ needs. “There’s a trend. There’s not enough return,” he said.

The payoff from the $2 billion invested in Resort Area improvements is now expected to come much slower than originally projected, he said. “Enough is enough.”

In the end, rather than delay approving the budget, the council agreed to revisit the proposed new projects, as well as those put aside, during an August budget review.

The discussion left some staff members wondering whether they can fulfill the council’s desire to put more money into parks projects and balance the budget at the same time.

“It will take a lot of work,” said City Manager James D. Ruth after the meeting. “We’ll have to look at the balances . . . see if we can do what the council has directed.”

But Budget Manager Jeffrey Stone said the scrutiny is healthy. In the next few months staff will go through the budget, especially the reserve funds, searching for excesses it can offer the council.

Reexamination should prove fruitful, said Stone. “I don’t know if it will fund all of the unfunded projects, but I think it will go quite a ways for providing the council with options,” he said.

*

Judy Silber can be reached at (714) 966-5988