AgdaPkt 2003-12-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

CITY STORIES from page 1 Here are just a few of the possible cuts that cities must consider, if funding is not restored quickly: 'The City of Big Bear Lake's law en. contract is over $1.5 million. Without the VLF backfill, we cannot fund out current level of law enforcement." Michael Perry, City Manager City of Big Bear Lake Letter to Assembly Members Roy Ashburn and Russ Bogh and Senator Jim Brulte "The VLF funds represent 25% of our General Fund, which pays for law enforcement and other critical city services. Highland will take a $1.8 million hit if the VLF backfill is not restored. Since our total city payroll with benefits is about $2 million not including the law enforcement personnel, we will have to make a substantial reduction in law en- forcement and other critical services if the VLF is not back filled." Larry McCallon, City Council Member City of Highland Letter to Bob Dutton Letter to Assembly Member Dennis Mountjoy and Senator Jim Brulte The Town has already lost this year $313,000 m VLF fees due to the "loan" to the state that was r,;rceo on us. A loss of the VLF backfill would result ,n a devastating loss of $1,056,000 to the Town's General Fund." Gerald W. Carrigan, Chief of Police Town of Paradise Letter to Senator Samuel Aanestad and Assembly Member Letter to Rick Keene Rescinding the VLF increase will result in a ross to the City of Gardena of approximately 000 or six full time police officers." Rod Lyons, Chief of Police Gardena Police Department Letter to U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein, and Representative Maxine Walters Our City will already lose an estimated $1.7 milhon in VLF backfill payments this year, and we simply cannot afford to give up any more of this Constitutionally protected local revenue source." Julia E. Miller, Mayor City of Sunnyvale Lettei to Senators John Vasconcellos, Byron Sher and Liz Figueroa, and Assembly Member Sally Lieber `7n Redwood City alone, a loss of VLF means the loss of over $3 million this year if a reim- bursement is not initiated. Our City Council will then have to consider very serious, additional budget cuts in that amount..." Jeff Ira, Vice Mayor Redwood City Letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senator Byron Sher and Assembly Member Simitian "The City of Hemet stands to lose $2.5 million dollars from its General Fund with the loss of the VLF. Currently, 72% of General Fund revenue is used for Public Safety. Such a loss of funding would result in substantial restructuring of our police and fire departments, including reduc- tion in the number of officers. " Peter Hewitt, Chief of Police City of Hemet Letter to Senator Jim Battin "Without the VLF ba_ ^kfill, the City of Salinas will have an annual reduction to its General Fund of $6 million. This equates to a reduction of 60 police officer positions (or 30 police officer positions and 30 fire fighter positions). " Daniel Ortega, Chief of Police City of Salinas Letter to Assembly Member Simon Salinas and Senator Jeffery Denham "No backfill represents an additional loss of 4.7 million dollars to our community. Needless to say this would have serious repercussions to public safety in the city of E/ Monte and collec- tively with other agencies, the State of California." Ken Weldon, Chief of Police City of El Monte Letter to Senator Gloria Romero and Assembly Member Judy Chu Continued on Page 7 PAGE 6 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site•.www.cacities.org ........... ...............................