AgdaPkt 2003-06-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

/0.14-/8 BUDGET IMPACTS from page 1•••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• City officials responded quickly. Many reported significant impacts to public safety and other ser- vices as a result of their own tight budgets — even before a huge cut 1 the magnitude currently under consideration by the legislature. State cuts, on top of already- reduced local revenues, would slash deeply into essential services. Below are just a few of the messages city officials delivered to their legislators this week. $500, 000 to be cut from current budget. Crime prevention sergeant eliminated. Results are slower response to cmergencies and traffic enforcement, and elimination of crime prevention and school education efforts. In FY 03 -04, library staffing will be reduced 18% with hours cut by 17 %. Parks and recreation activities serving youth and seniors will be similarly cut. State cut of $250,000 would mean eliminating 3 additional staff, which could further impact these services. (How much would your city lose? Visit the State Budget page at www.cacities.om / budget to see city -by -city estimates, using a VLF allocation for- mula.) City has already cut 46 capital projects and cut operating budget. Proposed state cut would mean equivalent of losing 20 police officers, entire budget for senior, youth 8 family services combined. In redevelopment, would mean equivalent ofinvest- ment in 73 low - income housing units. • (Our city's) police department must already absorb $1 million hit in budget over the next two years. Police services are already stretched thin while crime, population and demand is growing. Since September 11, police department has been asked to do more with less. Any budget strategy that contemplates on -going contributions by cities will have overwhelmingly negative impacts and result in fewer police officers on patrol. • FY 03 -04 budget just being completed and given uncertainty of state cuts we have difficulty determining whether to submit the 10 police officers or 20 officers planned • A potential cut of $400,000 could mean: eliminate four police positions (including two offic- ers); reduce staffing for teen program; eliminate summer playground program. The current economic downturn forced our city to make midyear reductions in January 2001. Capital improvements including police, fire and public works projects were halted. Freeze on positions has eliminated 9% of workforce. Patrol operations are currently at minimum acceptable level and may need to be reduced to meet additional • The FY 03 -04 adopted budget already makes significant cuts in street maintenance, operating budgets and capital projects. The potential additional state cut of $630, 000 after current budget reductions would translate to 6 Police officers from a force of 42. • Asa result of reduced revenues and increased costs, city has already cut two police officers for 03 -04. Any attempts at on -going cuts will adversely impact (our city's) public safety. Redevelopment increments are fully committed to public improvements and affordable housing in downtown area, so and state reduction of RDA will be direct hit to city general fund. • Potential state hit of $964,000 equates to 11 % of fire and marine safety budget, 11 % of law enforcement services budget, 19% of parks and recreation and 60% of public works. No one department would suffer the entire revenue loss "hit" but it can be anticipated a multi -year reduc- tion would affect all departments and services. City is willing to shoulder some of financial problem this year though any ongoing revenue shift will destroy possibility of providing essential services. Small city of 7,000 that serves regional population of 20,000 in a rural area. General fund of $4.5 million with only about $200, 000 from property taxes. Economically hard hit by the closure of largest industry, and decline in fishing industry. Just recovered from 3 -year plan to eliminate previous $600,000 deficit and $1 million interfund loans. Already must recommend elimina- tion of one police officer position. Additional state cut would be mean reduced staff that serves the community. Continued on Page 7 PAGE 6 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org