Glendale City Council Meeting Preview: 2010-11 budget

The City Council on Tuesday will vote on an $809-million city budget for the next fiscal year, including the $173.1-million General Fund, which covers the city’s day-to-day operations.

The proposed budget relies on $3 million in employee salary and benefit concessions to help balance a projected $8.1-million budget gap, even though deals have yet to be struck with the city’s four employee unions. Negotiations remain ongoing.

In addition to employee concessions, city officials have proposed diverting sales-tax revenue away from capital improvement projects and into the General Fund, among other funding swaps, and about $1 million in reductions in maintenance and operational costs.

The strategies are needed to balance the third budget deficit in a row as city officials grapple with the increased cost of health-care and pension benefits while city revenues remain low during the protracted recession.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The City Council will likely approve the budget, which was introduced last week, as the city is legally required to adopt a balanced budget by July 1, but City Manager Jim Starbird has said the figures could change after the deadline.

Le Mesnager Barn

The City Council will consider a proposed $779,372 contract with Thomco Construction Inc. for seismic upgrades at the 3,000-square-foot Le Mesnager stone barn at Deukmejian Wilderness Park.

The upgrades will begin the fourth phase of development at the park.

Three previous phases — including a historical assessment and construction of trails, picnic areas, restrooms and other public areas — have been completed since environmental documents for the master plan were approved in 1992.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The City Council is expected to approve the contract.