Budget Plan Calls for 10% Hike in Spending

Camarillo officials plan to spend almost $45 million during the fiscal year that begins July 1, an increase of almost 10% over the current year, according to a preliminary budget reviewed Wednesday by the City Council.

The 2-inch-thick spending plan estimates that revenues will exceed expenses by about $400,000 during the next 12 months--money that will be carried over as an ending balance in July 1997.

City Manager Bill Little said the ending balance for the current fiscal year is $38.1 million, up $2 million from the previous year. But by July 1997, the city’s cash balance is expected to drop to about $33 million, based on a series of capital improvement projects.

The draft budget also recommends that the council approve three new positions--two part-time clerks and a full-time street maintenance worker. Those new jobs are needed to keep up with increasing workloads, officials said.

The budget calls for spending almost $300,000 in legal fees; $591,000 on maintaining City Hall; $13,000 on travel and meeting expenses for council members; and $11,800 on publications and dues for council members.

Preliminary plans also call for spending $9.1 million on streets and road improvements; $6,000 on travel expenses for Little; and $454,000 on cars and other city-owned vehicles. A final budget is expected to be adopted June 19.