City Council Approve Increase In Perks

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Grand Terrace expects budget surplus in 2007-08

PM PDT on Wednesday, May 9, 2007
By JULIE FARREN
The Press-Enterprise

GRAND TERRACE - The city is anticipating a $207,000 surplus in its proposed 2007-08 budget.

At a workshop Tuesday, city Finance Director Larry Ronnow outlined the general fund budget, which has revenue of almost $5.7 million. Expendituresare estimated at $5.5 million, Ronnow said. Of the $5.7 million in revenue, the top sources are 50 percent from taxes, followed by fees at 24 percent and licenses and permits at 15 percent.

Last year, taxes made up 46 percent of the budgeted revenue. This year, property taxes will generate the most money at $1.46 million, followed by sales taxes at $1.26 million.

As far as city expenditures, the law enforcement contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department ranked first. The city expects to spend $1.7 million on law enforcement services. Community services are second at $1.29 million, followed by administrative costs at $1.07 million and child care at $1.05 million.

City Manager Tom Schwab said Grand Terrace is on the right track as far as spending and saving. "I think that the budget is pretty strong this year," said Schwab. "Our revenues are staying ahead of our expenditures.

"Councilman Jim Miller had concerns about the monthly stipends that are allotted to council members for mileage costs. Schwab said that $12,000 was added to the budget to cover those costs. Each council member is given $200 a month in car allowances rather than have them record mileage for each trip taken. Councilwoman Bea Cortes said she travels quite a bit on behalf of the city and didn't question the money. "I would support the $200 supplement," Cortes said.Miller said he wasn't in favor of allotting that much. "I wouldn't use that much of it," he said. "I would rather just claim to you what I have. "Schwab said that wouldn't be a problem. "That would be up to each individual council member," he said.

Reach Julie Farren at 909-806-3066 or jfarren@PE.com