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# City budget discussions begin
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/city-budget-discussions-begin/
- Published: 2003-01-07T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:16:44.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

As city officials begin their discussions on setting the budget for next year, many issues will no doubt arise since an $18 million shortfall is expected.

The public is invited to attend a workshop to better understand the city’s budget, which hovers around $375 million. The first meeting is scheduled for, Thursday, Jan. 9, from 7-9 p.m. The second workshop is scheduled for Jan. 23, also at 7 p.m. The meetings will be held at the Ken Edwards Center, located on Fourth Street between Colorado and Broadway avenues.

City finance director Mike Dennis will lead the class, designed to inform residents about the budget development process, explaining the various parts of the city budget and how to read and understand the city’s financial statements. The first public hearing for the 2003-2004 budget development process is scheduled for Jan. 14.

Enrollment for the workshop is on a first-come, first-served basis. The material and the courses are free. For more information, call (310) 458-8301.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 7, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/010703.pdf?ref=smdp.com)