By Rico Dizon
The La Palma City Council approved budget of $24.2 million for Fiscal Year 2014-15 in a 3-2 vote during the council’s regular meeting this past week.
Attempting to fulfill the goals it laid down during the 2014 budget cycle, both the city council and city staff members developed a plan for a balance budget without compromising the quality of life of residents.
At the same time, the development of the fiscal year budget saw directions from the city’s Sustainable Financial Plan that kept to the minimum its total transfer from the General Fund Reserves the amounts of $400,000 in COR projects and $200,000 in one-time transactions translating to only 6.4% of the $9.7 million in General Fund Revenues.
“To achieve a balance budget, we were able to reduce expenditures to just $9.6 million,” said City Manager Ellen Volmert when contacted by Hews Media Group-Community Newspaper after the meeting.
“We painstakingly instituted reforms and re-organizations in the Administration Services, Community Services and the Police Departments. We implemented three-day a week furloughs for six employees in management level,” Volmert said.
She also told HMG-CN that the La Palma Police Department represents a 54% of the total expenditures. “That’s why we need to reduce the full time equivalent (FTE) count in the Police Department from 29 to 27 and utilizing a portion of the General Fund Reserve for said positions,” explained Volmert.
“Hopefully, these stringent measures will only be temporary until the end of the first half of the current fiscal year,” said Volmert. “By next year, we expect a surge in revenues with Tesoro’s marketing office and a couple of new restaurants including McDonalds in full operations.”
On revenue sources, Volmert revealed that the traditional top contributor remains to be the Property Tax with 35%, followed by the Sales Tax at 27% and supported by the Utility User’s Tax. As regard the economic recovery aspect, the Staff recommended a diversified retail tax mix and upcoming opportunities in advertising and lease of properties.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
La Palma needs new business, espec. along the freeway, to pull in traffic. Rossmoor Shops has done a great job re-inventing the mall. La Palma Town Center needs to be updated,, like Rossmoor Shops. La Palma is loosing to much money, by not attracting 91 Freeway Buyers:
http://shopsatrossmoor.com/
• Ikea Store
• Lawyrs Rest.
• Beni Hanna Rest.
• Lowes.
• RV Outlet along the freeway frontage.
• Solar Manufacturer and outlet sales.
• In n Out Burger near Freeway.
• Whole Foods Grocery.
• Gelsons Grocery.
• Starbucks.
• Soup Plantation Restaurant.
• Memorial Hospital Urgent Care Center and labs.
• New exercise Gym Center.
• Fry’s Electronics.
• Solar Cycling Depots throughout the city, to be in alignment w/ OCTransit.
• Landscape Nursery.
• Utilize some waste land for over night RV Parking, to attract Knotts users to camp in adj. La Palma & spend vacation money.
• Casino built in to the LP Towne Center.
LP Police is costing the city 53% of budget, when LP could merge with the surrounding cities for police & or re-direct some of the administration w/ these cities.
1. Buena Park Polic
2. Cypress Police
3. Cerritos Sheriffs
4. Los Alamitos Police
https://www.loscerritosnews.net/2014/06/27/24-2-million-budget-for-city-of-la-palma-approved/
Look at the new Wal-Mart Grocery, it is successful and magnet for grocery shoppers from many surrounding cities. La Palma needs more regional attractions.
LP Counsel needs to get the city planners out in to the commercial fields, to make deals with business, to start up businesses in La Palma. Planner need to be more proactive, as La Palma is small in Diameter, and is a great city to live in. City location is great, it is in the heart of LA/OC Commuters.
Camco Tastepure RV Water Filter - New & Advanced RV Inline Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector - GAC & KDF Filtration - Made in USA - Camping Essentials for Fresh Drinking Water (40043)
$18.89 (as of May 14, 2025 06:30 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Charging Case, H2 Chip, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone
$119.00 (as of May 14, 2025 06:30 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker, Brushed Stainless, WMR-CANAS
$24.99 (as of May 15, 2025 17:27 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
1976 Bicentennial Kennedy Half Dollar Coin Uncirculated 1776-1976
$1.79 (as of May 15, 2025 17:27 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Car Drum Cymbal Air Vent, Fun Music Gadget for Drivers & Drummers, Easy Install on Dashboards & Vents, Crisp…
$9.99 (as of May 15, 2025 17:27 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon Fire TV Stick HD (newest model), free and live TV, Alexa Voice Remote, smart home controls, HD streaming
$34.99 (as of May 14, 2025 06:30 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Apple AirTag 4 Pack
$79.98 (as of May 14, 2025 06:30 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again
$27.00 (as of May 14, 2025 06:30 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
ZELUS Weighted Vest, 6lb/8lb/12lb/16lb/20lb/25lb/30lb Weight Vest with Reflective Stripe for Workout, Strength Training, Running, Fitness, Muscle Building, Weight Loss, Weightlifting
$36.99 (as of May 14, 2025 06:30 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Flezoo Super Loud Hand Bell - Solid Brass Call Bell for Elderly at Home, Wedding, Animal Training, Office, Dinner,…
$8.99 (as of May 15, 2025 17:27 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
La Palma needs new business, espec. Along the freeway, to pull traffic. Rossmoor Shops has done a great job re-inventing the mall. La Palma Town Center needs to be updated. La Palma is loosing too much money, by not attracting 91 Freeway Buyers:
http://shopsatrossmoor.com/
La Palma Planning staffers need to go out and sell La Palma. Staffers need to build up the business sector of the city. Counsel -Staffers need to invest now, for tomorrow’s La Palma tax base.
• Ikea Store
• Lawry’s Rest.
• Beni Hanna Rest.
• Lowes.
• RV Outlet along the freeway frontage.
• Solar Manufacturer and outlet sales.
• In n Out Burger near Freeway.
• Whole Foods Grocery.
• Gilson’s Grocery.
• Starbucks.
• Soup Plantation Restaurant.
• Memorial Hospital Urgent Care Center and labs.
• New exercise Gym Center.
• Fry’s Electronics.
• Solar Cycling Depots throughout the city, to be in alignment w/ OCTransit.
• Landscape Nursery.
• Casino built in to the LP Towne Center.
• Utilize some waste land for over night RV Parking, to attract Knott’s users to camp in adj. La Palma & spend vacation money.
Look at the new LP Wal-Mart Grocery, it is successful and magnet for grocery shoppers form many surrounding cities. La Palma needs more regional attractions.
LP Police is costing the city 53% of budget, when LP could merge with the surrounding cities for police & or re-direct some of the administration w/ these cities.
1. Buena Park Police
2. Cypress Police
3. Cerritos Sheriffs
4. Los Alamitos Police
Bring back buses Connections, from 70’s-80’s:
• San Diego Amtrak
• To Disneyland.
• To Beach Communities
https://www.loscerritosnews.net/2014/06/27/24-2-million-budget-for-city-of-la-palma-approved/
Rain-X 810165 Latitude 2-In-1 Water Repellent Wiper Blades, 22 Inch Windshield Wipers (Pack Of 2), Automotive Replacement Windshield Wiper Blades With Patented Rain-X Water Repellency Formula
$36.18 (as of May 14, 2025 06:30 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Clean Skin Club Clean Towels XL™, 100% USDA Biobased Face Towel, Disposable Face Towelette, Eczema Association Accepted, Makeup Remover Dry Wipes, Ultra Soft, 50 Ct, 1 Pack
$17.95 (as of May 14, 2025 06:30 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Resistance Bands for Working Out, Elastic Exercice Loop Bands for Physical Therapy, Yoga Starter Set of Stretch Bands for Booty Legs, Pilates Flexbands
$9.49 (as of May 14, 2025 06:30 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
$8.48 (as of May 14, 2025 06:30 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
HydroJug Traveler - 40 oz Water Bottle with Handle & Flip Straw - Fits in Cup Holder, Leak Resistant Tumbler-Reusable Insulated Stainless Steel & Rubber Base - Gifts for Women & Men, Pink Sand
$39.99 (as of May 14, 2025 06:30 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
MAONO Wave T1 Mini Wireless Lavalier Microphone for iPhone 16 15, Android, Tablet, PC, Clip on Lapel Mic with USB-C Plug,…
$29.99 (as of May 15, 2025 17:27 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Fygrip 3D Eye Mask Sleep Mask for Men & Women, Yoga Silk Eye Bags, Pressure-Free & Light Block-Out Eye Mask for Sleep…
$7.99 (as of May 15, 2025 17:27 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
WHOOP Peak – 12-Month Membership – 5.0 Health and Fitness Wearable – 24/7 Activity and Sleep Tracker with Heart…
$239.00 (as of May 15, 2025 17:27 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
2025 P Cent Roll - Union Shied Design Uncirculated
$18.99 (as of May 15, 2025 17:27 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Ernie Ball Medium Light Earthwood Bell Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings 12-54
$12.99 (as of May 15, 2025 17:27 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)