Chula Vista Can Still Afford to Buy Land?

Amidst budget cuts and sacrifices of city employees to give up their mandated pay increases, the staff of the City of Chula Vista is recommending the adoption of a resolution that will appropriate $1,400,000 from the city's General Fund to buy a portion of the property on 275 Orange Avenue. The 1.82 acres of vacant space, a fenced area within the Palms Mobile Estate, are currently owned by Castle Park Enterprises. The recommendation, outlined in Item 4 of the City Council minutes for the canceled 01/13th meeting, said "Staff is recommending that the City purchase the vacant property for its development as a park." A draft copy of the Real Property Acquisition Agreement is ready and awaiting the next meeting.

Chula Vista's city government and its council had been wrestling with budget cut discussions following cost projections that revealed a 3.9 million General Fund budget shortfall in 2008-2009, which will balloon into 20 million the following fiscal year. Closure of several city services were slated to take place until the Chula Vista Employees Association and Western Council of Engineers agreed last week to give up their cost-of-living salary increases. This saved some 30 jobs and services, including Eastlake Library and Parkway gymnasium and pool.