Moorpark Surplus Could Lead to Parks Reserve Fund

MOORPARK — An increase in property tax revenues combined with a surplus of $660,934 has left Moorpark in such a strong financial position that City Council members are considering using some of the money to create a parks reserve fund for next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

The council will take its first close look at City Manager Steven Kueny’s $5.7-million spending plan for the 1997-98 fiscal year at a budget hearing tonight. This represents about a 3% increase over the current $5.5-million budget.

“The proposed budget does not [contain] any changes in the city’s fee structure,” said Martin Cole, the city’s budget analyst. “We’re presenting a balanced budget to the City Council.”

With a slight increase in population and property values over the past year, city officials anticipate about $5.7 million in revenues for fiscal 1998 and will not have to use any surplus money to cover expenditures, Cole said. The $660,934 in surplus money is left over from this fiscal year’s budget.

“The real estate market in Southern California is showing a rebound,” Cole said.

At least two council members are calling for most of the surplus money to be placed in a reserve account because of concerns over the long-term effects of Proposition 218, a statewide initiative approved by voters last November that restricts local governments from levying taxes to pay for services.

The measure, which takes effect July 1, would force the city to hold an election next fiscal year to allow property owners in the park’s assessment district to determine whether the city can impose taxes to pay for maintenance of the city’s 13 parks.

“If that doesn’t pass then we would be short approximately $900,000,” Councilwoman Debbie Teasley said. For this reason, she said, some of the city’s surplus funds should go into a reserve account. Kueny, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, included a reserve account in his list of 26 spending options for the surplus money.

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They include $100,000 for construction of two lighted tennis courts in Arroyo Vista Community Park, $100,000 for construction of sidewalk and drainage improvements at the Civic Center, $65,000 for a management analyst’s position, $25,000 for expansion of Arroyo Vista’s offices, and undetermined amounts for a City Hall expansion reserve fund.

Councilman Christopher Evans said he also wants to create a reserve fund to be used for recreational services.

“Just because we have a surplus this year doesn’t mean we’ll be so fortunate every year,” he said. “Just because we have money doesn’t mean we have to spend it.”

But Evans said he wants some of the surplus money to build more tennis courts.

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“We have five tennis courts in the entire city and we have a 300-member tennis club,” Evans said. “So I would be supportive of providing additional tennis courts.”

As in previous years, a major emphasis will be placed on police protection. The proposal calls for an administrative assistant to be hired for the staff of 15 patrol officers and seven administrative personnel already serving the city.

Moorpark spent $2.9 million for police services this fiscal year. The fiscal 1997-98 budget plan calls for slightly more than $3 million, or 54% of the city’s general fund, to be spent on law enforcement services.

“I believe it’s very important to maintain Moorpark as one of the safest places in Ventura County,” Evans said.

Tonight’s hearing is scheduled to begin at 7. The council is scheduled to vote on a final budget June 11.