MY BUDGET IS BIGGER THAN YOUR BUDGET
By Bill Bauer can be contacted at
A couple of weeks ago, City Council approved the Residents Initiative to Fight Traffic for the November 4, general election ballot. The measure, whose ballot designation hasn’t been determined, would amend the city’s general plan to establish an annual limit of 75,000 square feet on commercial development for 15 years (exempting schools, hospitals, residential, parking, care, religious, community and governmental facilities) if approved.
Pro-development, real estate and business interests are already screaming, “The sky is falling.” Former Santa Monica mayor (1975 -1977), Nat Trives mentioned in a letter to the Daily Press (June 26, page 4, “Rift is a bad bet”) that a city-funded study indicated a downturn of $11-million in city revenues could result. Trives lamented about possible cutbacks in city services and asked, “What would you trim, first?”
Taking a stretch and assuming there would be any loss in revenue, let me think... The city spends millions of dollars on homeless services, millions more are spent on public housing for non-Santa Monicans and millions more for consultants of all kinds... I know where I’d cut, Mr. Trives.
Speaking of money and lots of it, on June 17, City Council unanimously approved a record $524.7 million budget for 2008/09 representing a $43-million increase over last year. That’s almost enough to buy France.
Two of my pet causes — and essential city services — were finally funded this year. First was money for West Coast Care. The previously independently financed nonprofit has been very successful in delivering effective counseling and referral services to the homeless over the last two years.
Because of WCC’s excellent outreach and association with the Santa Monica Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Program (a team of officers who deal specifically with issues related to homelessness), WCC will now receive financial support through the SMPD and are now “officially” delivering their services alongside HLP officers.
And, we now have money to feed and care for the Police Department equestrian unit’s horses. Waa-hooo! The Santa Monica Police “Cavalry" rides again! Both budget items were supported and championed by SMPD Chief, Tim Jackman. Thanks, Chief.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 7, 2008. Read the original PDF.