San Diego Mayor signs $3 billion budget
SAN DIEGO, California -
Come July 1, the city of San Diego will have a balanced budget for fiscal year 2009-2010.
"Despite the worst economic crisis in decades," said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, "we balanced this budget, without cutting city services."
It took several months of wrangling with unions, community members and his own Council, before the Mayor was able to sign a balanced budget. Having to trim nearly $83 million from the budget was no easy task.
"We had an $83 million deficit this year, but if you remember we also had a $43 million mid-year adjustment and $50 million last July 1st," said Sanders. "So all told, we've cut $176 million dollars out of this city's budget in the last 12 months."
The Mayor congratulated city employees on their willingness to help cut costs.
"I also want to thank our employees," he said. "Without the employees help, without their dedication and without their selflessness, taking a six percent pay decrease we simply could not have closed this gap without cutting city services."
Next year's budget also calls for $6 million in new or revised user fees. Departments where price increases will be seen include police, fire-rescue, library and park and recreation. Although not currently in the budget, Sanders said the budget committee is still looking at parking meter revenue.
Pleased to have a balanced budget, things may change drastically if Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger decides to take money from local cities to balance California's budget, as he has threatened. Having already cut $176 million in a year's time, Sanders said it would be difficult to find anywhere else to take money from.
"Public safety is not even immune from cuts if we get anywhere near the magnitude of what they could take," he said.
"Despite the worst economic crisis in decades," said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, "we balanced this budget, without cutting city services."
It took several months of wrangling with unions, community members and his own Council, before the Mayor was able to sign a balanced budget. Having to trim nearly $83 million from the budget was no easy task.
"We had an $83 million deficit this year, but if you remember we also had a $43 million mid-year adjustment and $50 million last July 1st," said Sanders. "So all told, we've cut $176 million dollars out of this city's budget in the last 12 months."
The Mayor congratulated city employees on their willingness to help cut costs.
"I also want to thank our employees," he said. "Without the employees help, without their dedication and without their selflessness, taking a six percent pay decrease we simply could not have closed this gap without cutting city services."
Next year's budget also calls for $6 million in new or revised user fees. Departments where price increases will be seen include police, fire-rescue, library and park and recreation. Although not currently in the budget, Sanders said the budget committee is still looking at parking meter revenue.
Pleased to have a balanced budget, things may change drastically if Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger decides to take money from local cities to balance California's budget, as he has threatened. Having already cut $176 million in a year's time, Sanders said it would be difficult to find anywhere else to take money from.
"Public safety is not even immune from cuts if we get anywhere near the magnitude of what they could take," he said.
