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Council Meeting: Jan. 14, 1992
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Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: eity staff
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION TO INVITE PUBLIC COMMENT AND REQUEST
CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION REGARDING 1992-93 CITY BUDGET
PRIORITIES ON JANUARY 28, 1992
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council hold a public
hearing on January 28, 1992 to invite public comment and request
that Council provide direction to staff regarding 1992-93 City
budget priorities.
Background
In January, 1991, the Council held its first public hearing on
community budget priorities. Staff believes such a hearing is
useful and should be incorporated as a regular part of the city'S
budget process. The hearing provides an opportunity for public
input earlier in the budget preparation process, allows time for
more thorough staff and council consideration and evaluation of
suggestions, and allows more time for public education on budget
parameters and constraints.
Analysis
A public hearing focusing on City budget priorities is
particularly important at this time. Although the City of Santa
Monica ended 1990-91 in a relatively strong financial position
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JAN 1 4 1991..
compared to many other jurisdictions, the current recession has
been substantially deeper and is proj ected to be much longer
lasting than was expected when budget decisions were made in June
1991. As a result, city financial resources are being stretched.
Preparing and adopting a city budget for 1992-93 will be a
difficult process.
As was the case last year, the public hearing is proposed to be
held prior to submittal of department budget requests to the City
Manager. It is important to note, however, that this early
hearing does not preclude or supplant the public review
opportunity and hearing process normally scheduled for May and
June.
staff will also make a brief presentation on the 28th to set a
context for Council consideration of public input and subsequent
Council deliberation.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Council hold a public hearing on
January 28, 1992 to hear public comment and provide staff
direction on City budget priorities for 1992-93.
Prepared by: Mike Dennis, Director of Finance
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