By Krista Daly
Approximately $4.6 million is on the line during the November election this year. Voters in San Marino will decide whether to renew the existing Utility User Tax and the Public Safety Tax, which could result in major budget cuts.
City Manager John Schaefer, along with city staff, compiled a list of ideas on what could be cut or reduced to give the city council and the public an idea of the impact. Nothing of what is on the list is absolute, Schaefer said stating the public will be given the opportunity to give their input should the measures be voted down.
Three scenarios were created – loss of the Utility User Tax; loss of the Public Safety Tax; and the loss of both taxes.
Scenario one, no UUT, is a loss of roughly $1.7 million. Potential cuts could be a $1 million reduction in capital projects, a reduction in recreation services, elimination of the city’s fund to the Old Mill as well as the elimination of one police detective position and three least senior firefighters. Other considerations include decreasing the library budget and contracting out park maintenance.
Further considerations may be to eliminate a part time intern, the public works director or the contract with the crossing guards as well as convert the finance director to part time. Or to reduce tree trimming frequency, sidewalk replacement funding or administration. Reverting the 20-year PERS payoff to 30 years is another option.
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