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Council set to adopt budget plan
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More from County NewsVentura residents will see more police officers and firefighters on the streets, wage increases to city staff and repairs to the promenade if recommended operating and infrastructure budget proposals are adopted by the City Council tonight.
The proposed operating budget for the year that begins July 1 would add six police officers and three firefighters, while the infrastructure plan would put $2.8 million toward a new pool and repairs of the eroding promenade, drainage issues and the damaged beach parking structure.
More than $4.2 million of $5 million in new revenue would go to boost salaries across all departments. Some employees haven't seen pay-scale raises in two years.
Spending in the general fund under the council's direct control would be $93.7 million, the highest in city history, documents show.
The city released its operating budget in April; the council held a public hearing last month and returns tonight for formal adoption.
Among revisions proposed in the final draft are:
n Spending $235,000 to purchase, implement and maintain fencing to control sand movement outside homes in the Pierpont Beach neighborhood.
n Spending $65,000 for beach cleaning along Ventura's shoreline.
n Spending $36,000 on a citywide "Green Initiative" to improve water conservation and energy efficiency.
n Contributing $100,000 to homeless prevention and education, in coordination with the countywide 10-year Strategy to End Homelessness.
n Spending an additional $2 million to build a pool near De Anza Middle School in west Ventura.
n Spending $50,000 to increase marketing efforts by the Community Development Department.
The City Council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 501 Poli St.
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