An emboldened tourism industry, surging real estate sales and some unexpected money courtesy of the state have pumped an additional $5.5 million into the city coffers, leaving council members with more money to spend when they approve the mid-year budget next month. While some of the cash is already accounted for — to cover increased costs for employee salaries — roughly $2.5 million will be left up to the discretion of the council, which will debate the issue at a meeting scheduled for Feb. 14.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 31, 2006. Read the original PDF.