Council Approves $1 Million in Proposed Budget Cuts

The Glendora City Council unanimously approved the proposed $1 million in city budget cuts Tuesday, including deep cuts to the city’s programs, eliminating positions and laying off employees in the various city departments.

City officials say the drastic cuts were a result of a $1.8 million loss to the General Fund from the demise of the city’s .

According to documents, the General Fund represents 38 percent of the 2011-12 budget of $58 million.

The approved budgetary plan to go into effect July 1 include:

• Elimination of Deputy City Clerk

• Layoff accountant in the Finance Department

• Layoff records specialist in the Police Department

• Layoff two code enforcement officers

• Re-allocate DEA Taskforce Sergeant Costs

• Increase part-time Community Service Officer hours

• Purchase automated citation system for police officers

• Eliminate mechanic position in Public Works

• Eliminate vendor contract routine inspections of traffic signals

• Eliminate planning manager position

• Layoff two librarians

• Adjust overdue library fines

• Layoff turf specialist

• Reduction of After Stroke funds

• Reduction of Teen/Family Center hours

• Layoff maintenance worker

• Eliminate part-time recreation leader

• Increase recreation fees

To view the full approved reductions, visit the city website.

Also approved were the de-commission of three advisory bodies, including Beautification, Trails and Historical commissions. According to city documents, these boards will be absorbed by volunteers and other committees.

“I want the commissioners on those commissions to know how important their work is to the city and we truly do value it,” said Councilmember Judy Nelson. “This is just another thing we’ve had to do to reduce budget.”

These reductions were shared with the public in, where department heads discussed the pending reductions and answered questions.

Over the last four years the city has reduced its workforce by nearly 21 percent, or 67 positions.

City Manager Chris Jeffers said reducing the budget merely through cuts to the workforce was impossible.

“We are at the point where we’re going to have to do less with less,” said Jeffers.

With the state now looking at a $12 million to $14 million deficit, fingers pointed to state government on the city’s current shortfall.

“The reality is [the state has] a major deficit problem yet again, nothing new,” said Jeffers. “If anything we know as cities, Sacramento does not take responsibility. So they’re looking under every rock for money.”

Although the council approved the cuts, members warned residents the reductions would take a noticeable toll on the community.

“The cuts we are talking about today will be seen [by the public] through , and primarily,” said Mayor Gene Murabito. “Layoffs are never easy to do. Laying off individuals that you’ve worked with and know is extremely difficult to do and none of us enjoy doing it.”