City budget highlights improvements projects

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- These are good times for the city, and the 2000-01

city budget shows it. City revenue is up $25 million from last year, the

budget shows.

Last week, the City Council unanimously approved a $276.7 million

budget for next year, paving the way for a number of critical improvement

projects to enhance the city.

“We have about $48 million set aside for capital improvement projects

to improve city sewers, streets and other facilities,” said Ray Silver,

city administrator. “This budget allows us to complete funding for

projects that have either been left unfinished or unfunded in past

years.”

City officials said the added revenue stems from sales and property

taxes, profit ventures such as the sponsorship with Coca-Cola, and $16

million in grants the city has garnered from the state and federal

levels.

The money will fund resurfacing projects for arterial roadways, major

upgrades to Downtown sewer lines, which date back to the 1900s, as well

those beneath Huntington Harbour, where saltwater has seeped into the

system. New beach facilities, such as a new public service center and

restrooms, are also planned, as well as shoring up of funds for city

workers’ compensation and equipment replacement.

The budgets of past years suffered because of the economic recession

and the state was taking 20% of city property taxes, officials said.

City employees went five years without new labor contracts because of

a lack of funds, and core maintenance projects went uncompleted, Silver

added. The city is also spending about $8 million in technology upgrades

for both city and police services, advancements that should have been

implemented over the last 10 years, to improve public safety and better

meet residents’ needs.

While council members enjoy the position the city is in now, there is

always room for caution, some warn.

Mayor Dave Garofalo said that while financial times are good now, it

might not last.

“We are now, and should always be, building our reserves to prepare

for the future,” he said.