I have served on the Signal Hill City Council with pride for the last 19 years and understand the City’s budget in great detail. Every two years there is a municipal election. In the grand tradition there are always “facts” and “myths” about the City’s budget. This election is no different, and you deserve the truth. We have been far from “soft” on our response to the Great Recession.
The Council has set a priority of delivering essential safety and municipal services to our community during the worst economic recession since the 1930s. The Council set aside $4.1 million during the good economic times as a “rainy day” reserve to stabilize the City’s budget. We have judiciously used $2 million of this reserve fund to continue to deliver services over the last two years.
We have:
• Trimmed the City’s budget by $955,000 over the last two years (this is a 6-percent reduction)
• Imposed mandatory employee medical and retirement contributions
• Frozen employees’ pay since 2009, except for our police officers
• Eliminated the full-time building official and inspector and are relying on a part-time contractor
We do carry an additional $4 million in our General Fund Reserve, which is a prudent 25-percent reserve for operating our $17.1 million budget. I am extremely concerned over the governor’s budget proposals, which could adversely impact our budget. The City Council does have good intentions and has maintained vital service for our residents and businesses. We are proud of Signal Hill. The City Council will continue to adapt to the new economic realities. These are the facts and not myths.
Michael J. Noll
City Council Member
