Council Looks at Ways to Squeeze More Services Into Spending Plan

THOUSAND OAKS — Hoping to add three police patrols, hire another deputy city attorney and bolster other vital services, the City Council during a lengthy workshop Wednesday began mulling over how to include those programs in its two-year, $144.3-million operating budget.

In a Thousand Oaks Library meeting, council members and the Community Budget Task Force reviewed the draft spending plan for the 1997-98 and 1998-99 fiscal years and made numerous minor revisions--but no major changes--to the voluminous document.

Much of the discussion centered on what Thousand Oaks should do with a $1.4-million surplus that city officials are anticipating in the general fund for the fiscal year beginning July 1. City finance officials conservatively estimate Thousand Oaks’ operating fund revenues for 1997-98 will be $39.8 million, surpassing the $38.4 million in projected expenditures from that fund.

But city officials warned the increase reflects surprisingly high sales tax revenues that might be a one-year fluke. Sales tax revenue may slip in later fiscal years, based on the outcome of several proposals being considered in Sacramento.

Officials also noted that as Thousand Oaks continues to approach build-out, the city’s development fees will decrease, and that Proposition 218 may impact other critical city funding sources, such as assessment districts for lighting and landscaping, which are expected to total about $2.86 million this year.

Proposition 218, passed in November by California voters, may require Thousand Oaks to put many of its homeowner assessments and user fees to a ballot vote, which could put the city in a bind if such revenue-generating proposals are not approved by residents.

Among the new programs and positions being proposed as additions to the budget are:

* Three new patrol cars for a total cost of $900,000 during the two fiscal years.

* Two construction inspectors at a cost of about $363,000 during the two years.

* A new deputy city attorney position at an annual salary of $64,700 and $3,000 in annual operating expenses.

* A study of the Calleguas Creek area downstream of Thousand Oaks. The city’s portion of this $1.8-million regional study would cost $191,800.

* A study of all city user fees, which would cost $50,000.

“We need increased patrols,” Councilwoman Elois Zeanah said before the meeting. “We have been short 20 officers in this city, and we’ve caught up on that over the past few years. But we still need more.”

Thousand Oaks now contracts with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement services. There are 88 sworn officers assigned to the city and the council wants to add five patrol deputies, one detective, a clerk and six community service officers, who handle some administrative duties done by officers, thereby freeing deputies to stay on the beat.

As the city’s population grows, Cmdr. Kathy Kemp, who serves as the city’s police chief, said it’s important for Thousand Oaks to enhance its police services in order to maintain response times.

In 1996, it took an average of 6.2 minutes for deputies in Thousand Oaks to respond to an emergency call, Kemp said.

“We’re at the point where it needs to be addressed,” said Capt. Mike Brown, who prepared the budget plan for the Sheriff’s Department. He said the additional personnel would cost about $1.3 million over the two fiscal years.