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By Cerritos Mayor Jim Edwards
My City Council colleagues and I recently approved a $120.24 million combined financial program for fiscal year 2012-2013. The program includes a City operating budget of more than $86 million and a Cerritos Successor Agency budget of $31.4 million. In addition to the City’s operating budget, $2.6 million has been earmarked for capital projects.
As this past year was once again economically challenging for cities across the nation, development of this year’s budget was especially difficult as the State of California dissolved California Redevelopment Agencies on February 1 as part of efforts to balance the state budget. For fiscal year 2011-2012, this resulted in a loss of more than $35.5 million to the City. The City’s operating budget of more than $86 million, excluding capital projects, reflects a 3.02 percent decrease from the prior year.
I’d like to highlight a few of the planned capital projects that will enhance our community.
Our residents love the variety of recreation options in the City, and this year’s budget allows for improvements to various recreation facilities. Playgrounds in Cerritos will be improved in the coming year. The City will spend $25,000 on playground equipment replacement and $60,000 to replace playground sand with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant materials at various neighborhood parks. In addition, $50,000 will be spent on new playground equipment at Liberty Park. Cerritos Park East will receive a $287,000 remodel which includes the renovation of restrooms and the rehabilitation of the community rooms.
Pavement rehabilitation at Cerritos Iron-Wood Nine Golf Course, the Cerritos Olympic Swim & Fitness Center and three community centers will cost $110,000.
The Cerritos Library is always a popular destination, and we are excited that $300,000 will be spent to remodel the Library Multimedia area into a Teen Zone with additional computer and study areas.
The City will continue making a significant investment in maintaining streets during the new fiscal year. A $982,500 project involves the resurfacing of 183rd Street from Gridley Road to Palo Verde Avenue. A $350,000 project includes street furniture and landscaping enhancements along Studebaker Road from South Street to Artesia Boulevard and a new freeway sign for the Cerritos Auto Square.
If you’d like to view a copy of the approved City of Cerritos 2012-2013 Combined Financial Program, visit the Cerritos Library or the office of the City Clerk at Cerritos City Hall.
As always, I encourage Cerritos residents to call me at City Hall at (562) 860-0311 or to send me an e-mail through the City’s website at cerritos.us and share your suggestions, concerns and questions. I am pleased to talk with Cerritos residents and work with you toward the betterment of our wonderful community.
Mayor Edwards, Tell the whole truth and quit your spin.
Mayor Edwards, Tell us about the projects that only happen because of GRANT money and not city income.
Mayor Edwards, Tell us about how the city is dependent on GRANT money, because of the wasteful spending you support.
Mayor Edwards, Tell us which programs in your article are only possible due to GRANT money and not good fiscal policy.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about all the money You helped the city lose with bad policy.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about a power plant that is losing millions.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about a Center for the Performing Arts that is losing millions.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about the fee increases the city council is considering on residents.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about the increase in water rates the city council is considering on residents.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about how the cost to use city facilities has risen over the years.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about any “personal associations” certain groups getting money from the city have with certain city leaders.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about all the EXPENSIVE trips council members have taken and how it has done NOTHING to make us a more financially secure city.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about the crime in our city and what you plan to do about it.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about all the part-time employees the city employees to AVOID providing health benefits to families, while you top dogs get all the perks.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about how city employees have not had a raise in 3 years while the City Council continues to live big.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about how city committee members, staff and the city council members get a free dinner before every meeting.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about how the city does not post a line item budget on-line for residents to see how you people are really spending the money.
Mayor Edwards, Talk about all the extra committees and boards council members sit-on and the money an perks gained from them.
Mayor Edwards, There is a lot to talk about but you refuse to utter any words that conflict with the fairytale world you live in.
Mayor Edwards is a joke, he has no conviction to do the right things. What a disappointment.
What a spineless mousey weasel Edwards has turned out to be. He is a rah rah cheerleader that does cartwheels for whatever crap Gallucci tells him to say.
Pathetic!
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