The city of La Center wrapped up a long and contentious budgeting process this week, preparing to head into next year with its smallest operating plan since 2007.
The La Center City Council adopted a new spending plan with a 4-1 vote Thursday night, approving a $3.6 million general fund for 2015. Seven years ago, the city had an operating budget of $3.5 million, and it’s hovered around $4 million in most years since.
Councilor Al Luiz, who cast the sole vote against the new budget, could not be reached for comment. Initially, the councilors planned to approve a $3.7 million for next year, but instead they decided to cut another $145,000 out largely by eliminating a vacant police patrol position and making incremental expense cuts for training, fuel and community events.
Mayor Jim Irish explained the reductions in a memo to the council on Wednesday. The overall impact of the reductions also means the city will not have to use as much of its general fund reserves as expected, Irish wrote.