Tuesday night, City Manager Ken Pulskamp unveiled Santa Clarita’s 2009-2010 fiscal year budget, to the tune of $171 million dollars.

According to Pulskamp, this year’s budget was particularly difficult to craft due to the “devastating economic climate.”

However, he noted that city staff was able to bring forth a balanced budget. This was made possible by 13.5 million in federal stimulus money and reductions in the budget.  

The general fund was reduced 8%, or roughly $4 million, to a total of 77,056,230. This was helped by a number of governmental changes including:

• A transfer of some general fund expenditures to special funds;
• The freezing of four additional positions (20 in total);
• A reduction of temporary employees, overtime, and training;
• A reduction in contractual services.

While Pulskamp says that cuts were difficult, the City was able to maintain their 15% operating reserve. 

“I told staff that we had to cut the budget, but I want to do it in a way that is as close to invisible to the general public as possible,” said Pulskamp, after noting that the city was able to refrain from heavily impacting services. “I am very proud of our staff.”

But it wasn’t all cuts, the city also managed to make some additions, which include:

• 3% cost of living increase to the Sheriff’s contract;
• A $1,257,217 increase in transit funding;
• $196,000 for a continuing Cemex campaign;
• $60,000 for Whittaker-Bermite

Accompanying the General Fund is a $27,958,896 5-year Capital Improvement Program, which will devote funds to projects around the city including a parking enhancement at the Jan Heidt Metrolink Station in Newhall and $5,867,864 for a McBean Parkway Regional Transit center and Park and Ride.

City Council will officially vote on the proposed budget at the June 23rd meeting.

More business was on the Council agenda later in the evening, including a change in City code that makes certain high-occupancy rental homes prohibited in most residential neighborhoods.  Read about this by clicking here.