Artesia Council Amends Budget For New Fiscal Year 2010-11

By Jerry Bernstein


The Artesia City Council amended the city’s financial plan and budget for fiscal year 2010-11. The amendments call for continuance of the existing furlough program, reduction in overtime and on/call pay to compensatory time as stipulated by law, continued suspension of vacation buy back in November and first time suspension of sick buy back in December, and deactivation of positions resulting in a modified number for layoff, including modification of one full-time position to part-time position.
In her report to the council Deputy City Manager/Finance Officer Justine Menzal said under the furlough continuance program City Hall will be closed every other Friday effective July 9 and the Parks and Recreation office will be open six days a week. Public Works will be closed the same Fridays as City Hall. Mensal said this is equivalent to a pay reduction of 10 percent.
Two part time employees will have hours reduced to an equivalent of a 10 percent reduction. She said the savings for furlough in the fiscal year 2010-11 reorganization is $143,932 across all salary/wage cost allocations, not limited to the general fund.
The city will operate the new budget year with 13 positions unfilled. This includes five in Public Works, five in Parks and Recreation and three in City Hall and is equivalent to 31 percent of city personnel. Only four part time employees will be retained. One in Parks and Recreation and one in the Public Safety Department. This totals to 25 full time employees and four part time employees.
City Councilman John Lyons said the council had to make some tough decisions not necessarily to its liking, but we now have a balanced budget.
In other business the Council set a public hearing for its Aug. 9 meeting on a request to construct a two story single family house at 12231 183rd St. Applicant Mohaqmmad Shahab Ullah is seeking multiple variances that would provide less than the required 20ft. front yard setback and less than the required 10 ft. side street yard setback. The house world also exceeds the required 50 percent yard coverage. The city planning commission recommended denial of the project.
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