Pomona City Council to hold hearing on proposed budget

A public hearing will take place at Monday's City Council meeting as part of the review and possible adoption of the city's 2009-2010 proposed budget.

Council members will have the option of adopting the proposed budget or scheduling a special meeting before the end of the month to adopt it, according to a city staff report.

The city's total proposed budget will be adds up to $247.8 million. The general fund has appropriations of $91 million.

Many of the city's services are paid for with general fund dollars including police and fire services, street sweeping, recreation programs and library services.

To balance the budget a series of cuts have been proposed for just about all departments.

Some adjustments have been made following City Council discussions.

Originally city staff recommended putting the Pomona Police Department's helicopter in storage, according to a city staff report.

The current proposal calls for restoring that service but it also calls for leaving sworn police positions unfunded.

The positions are either vacant or will become vacant during the current fiscal year as a result of the retirements.

A number of civilian police jobs ranging from community service officers working in the departments crime prevention unit to report takers could end up being cut, the report said.

Another proposal involves cutting one fire engine from Fire Station 181 downtown for about seven months.

The Community Services Department has eliminated some recreation supervisor and coordinator positions.

A reduction in library hours is also being proposed with it closing Mondays.

Also being proposed is reducing the frequency of street sweeping and possibly contracting out for such services. Should that council pursue contracting street sweeping, the issue will be discussed by the council in the future.

The City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. for the closed portion of the meeting. The open portion of the meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 505 S. Garey Ave.