> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# It’s budget time for SM City Hall
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/its-budget-time-for-sm-city-hall/
- Published: 2002-01-04T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-22T23:56:29.000Z
- Author: Carolyn Sackariason
- Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*Council must set priorities in a year that’s financially challenged*

Dealing with a severe budget shortfall, the Santa Monica City Council will begin next week the daunting task of setting priorities and possibly cutting back services for 2002.

Depending on what the end-of-the-year sales tax revenues produce, the city could come up short anywhere between $8-$17 million. And for the past few months, city department heads in City Hall have been looking at ways to cut the fat off their own budgets to trim down the deficit.

Tuesday marks the first public meeting when the city council will begin setting financial priorities. The Jan. 8 public hearing also will give residents a chance to offer their suggestions on issues and funding relating to the 2002-03 budget, which will be adopted in the spring.

Mayor Mike Feinstein recently told the Daily Press that while none of the essential services will be cut, some capital projects may have to be deferred to make up for the shortfall.

“We are confident that we can trim and not cut deeply,” he said, adding the big emphasis will be on how the city can operate more efficiently.

> “We are confident that we can trim and not cut deeply.” — — MIKE FEINSTEIN Santa Monica Mayor

> “humanize” — As a way to and understand the multi-million dollar budget, Feinstein said the city makes an effort to reach out to citizens to help them understand how the process works

One could to look at the city’s $54 million public safety building being constructed behind City Hall as an example of a capital project that has run over budget. The project has been delayed months and is $10 million more than what was budgeted.

The city says it wants to hear from citizens about these types of issues. On the city’s web site, a budget suggestion form has been added for anyone to fill out so it can be submitted to the city council. Citizens can log onto http://santa-monica.org/communication/cityforms/budget\_suggestions\_02.htm and fill out the form before Tuesday night’s meeting, which will begin at 6:45 p.m. in council chambers. City Hall is located at 1685 Main Street.

As a way to “humanize” and understand the multi-million dollar budget, Feinstein said the city makes an effort to reach out to citizens to help them understand how the process works.

So the “Santa Monica Leadership Series for 2002” will kick off this month with two consecutive Thursday night sessions on the topic of “city budget basics.” On Jan. 17, city finance director Mike Dennis will explain the city’s budget development process, revenue streams and the factors considered when budget priorities are set each year.

He’ll also recap the city council’s Jan. 8 budget priorities hearing. Then on Jan. 24, Dennis will teach the second part of his course, with a focus on the city’s financial reports and fund restrictions. He’ll answer questions on bond financing, enterprise funds, redevelopment tax increment funding, block grant funding and other municipal finance topics of interest to attendees.

Santa Monica Leadership Series courses on city government-related topics are offered bi-monthly throughout the year. Other courses under consideration include “The General Plan and What It Means to You,” “Public Process Revisited,” and another “Whole Lotta Projects Goin’ On” city tour this summer.

Both budget sessions begin at 7 p.m. at the Ken Edwards Center, 1527 Fourth Street, Santa Monica. Call 458-8301 to register for the free budget courses, or for more information. You can register on-line at santa-monica.org/leadershipseries.

Enrollment is limited to 40 people at each course. All materials will be provided. The Ken Edwards Center is accessible to persons with disabilities and is served by Big Blue Bus lines 1, 3, 7 and 8.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 4, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/010402.pdf?ref=smdp.com)