PITTSBURG -- City leaders will consider a proposed 2011-12 budget Monday that includes a list of ideas to cut services and raise money to erase millions in deficits anticipated in coming years.
The primary goal of the cuts and fundraising would be to preserve police services, which account for 80 percent of the city's spending, according to the budget document.
The budget proposal calls for:

  • Leaving four police department positions vacant, which could limit law enforcement and code enforcement investigations and result in longer waits for evidence, booking, police reports and customer service.
  • Eliminating a $100,000 budget for police and maintenance employees at the annual Seafood Festival in September.
  • Seeking alternatives to the city's financial support for its senior center.
  • Keeping the Sullenberger Swim Center closed after its renovation is completed at the end of the year. "We have the money to complete the pool, but there is no money in the current budget to operate it," Finance Director Tina Olson said. "We can go out to get grants to see if there's another way (to raise the money)."
  • Raising $100,000 in 2011-12 and $200,000, plus inflationary increases, in future years by completing a deal to place an electronic billboard along Highway 4.
  • Directing profits from new Pittsburg Power Co. projects to the general fund. Power company money has also been spent in the past on economic development, a community arts nonprofit and redevelopment ventures.
  • Consider a fee or parcel tax to pay for existing services. The budget proposal also calls for eight layoffs and eliminating 14 vacant positions, reducing the city's work force from 261 to 239 employees.
    It would use $2 million from an $8 million budget-stabilization fund to balance the 2011-12 budget.
    The city is forecasting a deficit of more than $30 million over the next 10 years, even if salaries for all employees remain the same, according to a finance department report. The proposed 2011-12 budget is about $31.4 million.
    Contact Rick Radin at 925-779-7166.