Stanton's Balanced Budget and Economic Recovery

By Al Ethans

"STANTON'S SURVIVAL OF ITS FINANCIAL CRISIS WILL BE A MODEL FOR OTHER CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES TO FOLLOW FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY...

This letter is to update you on the budget and finances of the City of Stanton and the services provided to our great residents.

While you may have recently heard of the difficult economic times and budget issues facing the City, I am pleased to announce that the City Council has made the changes necessary to balance our budget. These changes were adopted after a thoughtful and thorough review of our staffing levels in all departments, and eliminating non-essential programs and services.

As you know, the issues began with the start of the recession in early 2008. With unemployment and home foreclosures at their highest levels since the great depression, this recession has touched all of our lives.

The City of Stanton has been no different in feeling the impacts. Property and sales tax revenues have gone down nearly 16% and 26% respectively, and to make matters worse, the State of California has taken more than $12 million of our local tax money to waste in Sacramento.

The City Council had to work quickly to make changes to our budget or we would run out of money by 2016. We did this by taking early action, adjusting our spending habits in 2008 when we first identified the financial difficulties created by the recession.

This meant reducing the size of every department at City Hall, but doing so in an orderly manner that maintains vital services for our residents. This also included, working with our partners in the Orange County Sherriff's Department and Fire Authority to reduce their budgets while maintaining the high level of service that we have come to enjoy. Of course, both the level of service and response times of the Sheriff's Department and Fire Authority will continue to be monitored monthly to ensure that there is no significant change in the level of safety needed to keep Stanton safe.

As part of the budget cuts, two of the City's parks were also closed and a third park was partially closed. However, we have worked with local concerned residents to create a Community Neighborhood Park Adoption program. This program has led to the successful reopening of the parks. Local garage sales and fundraisers plus neighborhood volunteers are keeping Zuniga Park open the rest of the year while the Council is working with local businesses and charities for next year's funding. A similar volunteer program is in the works for Hollenbeck Park which the neighborhood is helping to get reopened and due to the generosity of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriff's the Dotson Park water playground will be kept open for the children of Stanton for the entire summer.

There will also be no increase in the Utility User's Tax. The City Council heard the concerns of the voters and will not seek any further changes to local taxes.

The City Council has also focused its efforts on our local economy. The first quarter of Stanton's economic outlook has shown signs of improvement and Stanton's economic recovery plan which was recently implemented has encouraged new business growth. We hope that this will increase the number of jobs available for our residents and also bring in much need sales tax revenue.

Your City Council and City Staff are overwhelmed by the support and community pride our residents and families have displayed during these incredibly difficult economic times. Once again we have pulled together to overcome the challenges to keep Stanton a Community of Pride and Forward Vision.

We want to thank you for the confidence you have shown in your cities leadership and the support you have always given us in times of need. This community will always survive because of our unity, the strength of our residents.

Sincerely yours, Al Ethans Stanton City Council Member