Budget woes make Thousand Oaks weigh every option

Jan. 29--When it comes to closing an expected budget gap in Thousand Oaks, all options are on the table.

The list of possible solutions -- from deferring street paving to a half-cent sales tax measure -- were all discussed by the City Council this week. But a decision on spending and revenue will not likely be made until next year, after a series of community meetings.

What's giving the city the biggest headache is the inability to pay for roadway infrastructure. With restrictions to state transportation funding, the elimination of redevelopment agencies and diminishing federal grants, the city is expected to be $5 million short.

"That is a large gap in our streets program," said John Adams, the city's finance director.

One option is to not spend the $5 million for street paving. But costs tend to multiply under a deferred maintenance plan, meaning the city could face a $150 million shortfall by 2034.

"Deferring the maintenance is only really kicking the can down the road," Adams said. "At some point, you have to fund it. Whether you start funding it now or later, it's going to cost you more later."

Street lighting and stormwater funds are also expected to drive the city into the red.

There are a slew of ways for the city to raise revenue, and Adams presented them to the council without necessarily recommending any.

They include selling city property, increasing city fees or the sales tax, and establishing a parcel tax. Increasing the city's sales tax by a half-cent would generate $14 million but would need voter approval.

"The city is in good fiscal health. I don't want to overemphasize that, I don't want to underemphasize that," Adams said. "It's not a crisis. I think that's important. It's always a good exercise to do good financial planning."

Resident Carolyn Guillot addressed the council, calling for an independent analysis of city finances.

"When raising my family, if my checkbook did not balance, we cut our expenses," Guillot said. "I speak on behalf of residents who are careful with their own expenditures. We respect a City Council who is the same."

Councilman Andy Fox said community input is necessary and an independent consultant is possible, although that requires spending more money. Fox said cutting spending alone will not solve the issue.

"We can close both libraries, cut city staff by 75 percent, and we'd still have an ongoing problem," Fox said. "We're not cutting our way out of it. And conversely, we can develop all the Home Depots, all the Targets and Sam's Clubs we could want. We're not going to develop our way out of this issue, either."

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