Mission Viejo’s proposed budget is solid – despite a sluggish economy that continues to impact the nation. The City Council on Monday will consider adopting the City Manager’s proposed 2009-11 operating and capital budget that spans the next two fiscal years.
Monday’s meeting follows the City Council’s budget review on July 6.
By carefully examining the budget and trimming personnel costs and operating expenses, City staff has been able to present a balanced budget without cuts to police and essential services that the residents and businesses have come to expect in this City, which continues to be one of the safest cities in the nation. City staff has been proactive and began cutbacks in late 2008 by instituting a hiring freeze, deferring projects and reducing operating expenses. Most of the cuts already made in the 2008-09 budget will be carried forward into the next two-year budget. In addition, the City will realize personnel cost savings by eliminating approximately six positions, deferring salary increases and contributing less to the employee’s retirement program. Development-related contract services will be reduced and some street-related costs will be transferred to other funds to lessen the impact on the General Fund.
Total revenues for the two-year budget period are estimated at $128 million, with $126.3 million in total operating and capital budget expenditures. Like other municipalities in the county and nation, the City is experiencing a drop in property and sales tax revenues and development-related revenues. To offset a decline in total City revenues, staff made cuts in several areas, which will not impact core City services, and discretionary reserves will be used to cover one-time capital spending and the costs of some ongoing expenditures, which are important to City residents.
In response to the Council’s July 6 meeting, staff adjusted the 2009-11 proposed budget and recommends four additional budget revisions. Those include $125,000 in expected donations from the Friends of the Library for library materials; (2) a decrease in the City’s annual retirement costs, which will save the City $160,000; (3) changes to the Animal Services net cost allocation due to updated population numbers for Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel; and (4) a reallocation of reserves between funds in FY 2009-10.
The entire 80-plus page budget report is available on the City’s Web site at http://cityofmissionviejo.org. Monday’s meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 200 Civic Center.
