Cut in Library, Park Hours to Help Close Budget Gap

The City Council cut $303,000 from its annual budget by closing the library on Fridays, locking the gates on a city wilderness park four days a week and laying off three employees, among other actions.

The cuts approved Tuesday in a series of council votes are part of an effort to offset a budget deficit of more than $900,000. Council members members wrestled with the task of reducing city services. Barbara Kuhn and Sheng Chang opposed the library and park closures. Arcadia Wilderness Park will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Two programs under threat survived by a single vote. Mayor Robert Harbicht and Councilwoman Mary Young pushed to eliminate the DARE anti-drug program that sends police officers into fifth-grade classes and the city’s provision of crossing guards for schoolchildren. But Councilman Gary Kovacic joined Chang and Kuhn in rejecting those cuts.

Finance Director Jim Dale said that this year the cuts will only save $151,500 because they will take time to implement and the city is already four months into the fiscal year.