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Published on 05/26/1997 All articles from this issue

Draft budget: LA Council goals vs. 'enhancement' money

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By Joanne Griffith Domingue / Town Crier Staff Writer

At a study session to review the proposed two-year $13.8 million city budget that begins July 1, Los Altos City Council members focused on goals.

"I want to assure that council goals are met and department objectives that support them are met," said Sherry Lambach, Los Altos finance director, at the May 20 session.

The top three council goals, from a total of 13, include completion of a master plan for 401 Rosita, the 5.5-acre site the city bought last November; "traffic calming" programs to deal with city traffic problems; and the expansion of teen and youth programs.

In what city manager Dianne Gershuny describes as a "status quo" budget, $159,320 is earmarked for eight "enhancements," which are new or increased levels of existing services.

None of the $159,320 is for 401 Rosita, council's first goal. For traffic, $4,620 is proposed for "street striping with thermoplastics for increased safety and long range savings." For teen programs, $4,000 is budgeted for a summer skate facility.

When asked about this possible disparity between council goals and "enhancement money" going elsewhere, Los Altos Mayor Francis La Poll said that "maybe they (the enhancements) are not in line with our priorities.

"I might like to see different allocations. I raised that (at the study session) regarding traffic. We want to be doing something. It's really important that we implement what our studies are showing that would be helpful," he said.

Lambach pointed out that many of the council goals "really need staff time rather than outside dollars so we make sure (staff) time is allotted. And 401 Rosita (development) will need more than a few dollars. We did amend the budget (1996-97) to include money for the (401 Rosita) master plan."

Other proposed "enhancements" include $50,000 for emergency dispatch and telecommunications; $42,300 for paramedic services, which is included in the fire services contract; $40,000 for e-mail and Internet equipment; $9,000 for recreation class registration software; $5,400 to lease/purchase a forklift; and $4,000 for equipment for ham radio operators for emergency communications.

The proposed 1998-99 budget is down 3 percent from the $14.3 million of 1996-97. For 1998-99 a 1 percent increase is proposed, to $14.1 million.

The next budget study session will be at 7 p.m. June 3 at the Hillview Community Center, Room A, 97 Hillview Ave. The budget will be on the June 10 city council agenda.