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Council questioned reference to an `unbalanced budget " , which City Auditor- Accountant explained would involve using savings from prior years to keep in balance , thus enabling City to carry on for one year , after which it would be necessary to increase taxes . In response to question as to whether the Civic Center project was in this budget , Auditor-Accountant advised those funds had been set aside and were untouched . It was also his feeling that there was danger in not providing for capital improvements , since there are continuing demands which if allowed to accumulate would be impossible to finance . There was discussion concerning salaries and other added costs such as for safety workers ' retirement , and City Manager felt the regular employees can be expected to ask for the widow ' s continunance already granted safety workers , He noted also that the Retirement Board has recommended to the Governor an increase in retirement to 7% . Personnel has been asked to begin recruitment for the four Fire personnel who were approved to compensate for the reduced working hours . Mayor Bury questioned the potential for reducing the work force , and City Manager advised that during the negotiations it was pointed out to the employee groups that an increase of 8% in employee costs would mean operating with proportionately fewer people . He indicated , however , that if building picks up , it will be necessary to rehire one of the two building inspectors who left six months ago . He noted , in addition to Redwood Shores , that several building projects are under way , including Challenge Developers , United California. Bank and Ampex , and this would — require an additional inspector . A request has also been received for one or two inspectors to assist in the Los Angeles earthquake area , for which City would be reimbursed . Councilman Henderson expressed the belief this would provide valuable experience . City Manager spoke of another problem that would need to be resolved , having to do with the Battalion Chiefs , whose take -home pay , he said , was less than the Fire Fighters , due to no overtime or holiday pay . He advised that he had discussed the matter recently in the Fire Chief ' s office , and holiday pay for the Battalion Chiefs was recommended . City Auditor- Accountant advised , in response to a question , that such pay would amount to approximately $ 11 , 000 per year , He indicated that all positions budgeted for this year would be included in the next year ' s budget , and that at present , there are 14 unfilled , but budgeted positions , and 35 fewer employees than at this time last year . There was additional discussion of the need to fill certain positions , other than the Fire Fighters and Building Inspectors , such as a Programmer , to utilize the computer and to inaugurate the utility billing , and two library positions . City Manager reviewed the positions which have been vacated during the current fiscal year .