$29-Million Budget Plan Adds 5 New Positions

The City Council tonight will consider adopting a $29-million budget for fiscal 1997-98 that includes a 3% increase in revenue and calls for the hiring of two community development officials.

The proposed budget is about the same as last year’s and involves no cutbacks or layoffs, said Don Vestal, interim city manager.

General fund revenue is about 3% higher than last year, in part because of an expected 7% increase in sales tax revenue.

“I’d say this is a continuation. It keeps services at existing levels with some enhancements,” Vestal said. “It’s basically a pretty stable budget.”

The budget calls for the addition of two community development positions, an administrative assistant in the city manager’s office, a parks maintenance worker and a production supervisor for the water department.

Perhaps the most significant improvements, Vestal said, will be in the Community Development Department.

“The proposal is to add a code enforcement officer, which will improve our response to complaints, and a planning position that will enable us to more quickly respond to applications for development projects,” Vestal said.

If the budget is adopted as proposed, this will mark the second year of a slightly brighter financial picture for the city.

The 1996-97 budget was the first in several years that did not include deficit spending and cutbacks.