The El Cajon City Council adopted a $151.5 million budget this week that reflects the tough times ahead for East County's largest city.
El Cajon is trying to fix an ongoing budget deficit estimated to be $6 million for the fiscal year that begins July 1. City officials have already trimmed about 3 percent from each city department budget, and a hiring freeze continues. Four part-time employees in the Police Department have been laid off, and several city positions have been eliminated as people retire or leave for other jobs.
On Tuesday, the council unanimously approved the budget, which includes a $53 million general fund and maintains reserves equal to 20 percent of the general fund. The general fund is used for day-to-day expenses, which includes employee salaries. The reserves are intended for emergencies but also are used for cash flow in the first half of the year.
The council ended its practice of subsidizing outside organizations such as the San Diego East Visitors Bureau and Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego County. This also marks the first city budget in years that will not include subsidies for Christian Community Theater's Art Beat Management, which operates the East County Performing Arts Center, or the Mother Goose Parade.
But the city's money problems are far from over. The council is considering a sales tax measure for the November ballot. If it's not successful, city officials said they would have to cut another 7 percent across the board.
“We have to realize that things aren't always going to be the way they were,” Mayor Mark Lewis said.
Liz Neely: (619) 593-4961; liz.neely@uniontrib.com
