CYPRESS : $19.4-Million Budget Approved for 1995-96

The City Council has passed a 1995-96 city budget totaling $19.4 million, which is about $1.5 million more than the previous one.

In a written report to the council, City Manager Darrell Essex said major spending increases are planned for street paving and upgrading the police communications system. Those two items represent a 24.4% increase in spending in that category, Essex said.

The city manager said the city can afford higher spending because more income is projected in 1995-96.

Total operating revenue is projected at about $19.5 million, $2.3 million more than last year, Essex said. Sales tax revenue is expected to increase 34%.

Essex said a last-minute addition to the new budget was $61,000 for a special recall election this fall. He said city staff could not include that item until it was clear that a recall effort had succeeded and had actually forced a special election. Essex added that he believes the total cost of a special election will be somewhat higher: about $70,000.

The City Council unanimously approved the new budget Monday night. The council also unanimously approved a separate parks and recreation budget for 1995-96 that totals $3.4 million and a city redevelopment budget totaling $1.2 million.