CITY BUDGETS : Budget-Balancing Deadline Sends Some Cities Scurrying

In Santa Ana, a city financial squeeze means that 90 positions are being eliminated from the city payroll. But the budget for tiny Villa Park, Orange County’s smallest city, is rising 60% this year--thanks entirely to capital spending on road improvements. And in Irvine, last year’s deficit crisis is nearly forgotten and 38 employees will be added to the city payroll.

In most cities where spending is up, it is for increases in public safety personnel or road improvements. But whether the numbers are rising or falling, the story at city halls throughout Orange County is essentially the same: it is budget-balancing time.

The new fiscal year for California’s cities began Friday, and legally they were required to have had their budgets balanced and approved by the night before. However, several Orange County cities are still working with proposed budgets, including Fullerton, which is scheduled to approve its spending plan tonight.

Following is a city-by-city look at the budget picture in each of the county’s 27 cities. San Juan Capistrano

8.7% Hike Due Partly to Capital Projects

San Juan Capistrano’s budget is rising 8.7% this year to $31 million, with much of the increase due to capital improvements.

Jeff Parker, the city’s budget coordinator, said federal funds will cover the $2 million being spent on realignment of railroad tracks over San Juan Creek. Other capital projects, he said, include the repaving of Camino Capistrano.

One employee is being added to the city’s Administrative Services Department. And the city is adding one patrol car to its fleet this year, which increases its police-service contract with the county by $300,000, according to Parker.

In all, he said, the budget process “went rather smoothly this year. There were three public hearings and very little comment.”