South Bay Shortfall

At the August 10 city council meeting in National City, councilmembers and the mayor reduced hours at the city's library, senior center, the swimming pool, and eliminated a full-time position on the neighborhood council program to try and stay on top of the $3 million structural deficit.

On August 17, it will be Chula Vista city council's turn to meet and discuss their structural deficit, one that city manager Jim Sandoval estimates to be $12.5 million for the next fiscal year.

The South Bay city was hard hit by the sluggish economy. The city's bank account, once bolstered by the construction of new, large-scale housing developments, is now being sucked dry by the cost from the additional services required to maintain the new streets and developments.

And despite "extensive budget reform" during the past three years, which included the elimination of 259 full-time positions and reduction of city services, Chula Vista's pecuniary predicament continues as revenues from sales and property tax plummet downward.

At the meeting, city councilmembers and the mayor will discuss additional cuts to city services, pension reform, and upping the number of contracts it outsources to private companies.

"To overcome its fourth year of budget woes, City officials are preparing for the next fiscal year six months in advance," states an August 13 press release.

"While the former budget cuts were significant, City staff is committed to continue to work diligently for this community and provide the best services we can with the limited resources we have," was the quote from city manager Sandoval.

"However," continued Sandoval, "difficult decisions will need to be made in the next several months. These decisions could literally change Chula Vista as we know it."