The Ventura City Council on Monday will consider about $4.2 million in cost savings that would greatly reduce some city programs, especially non-emergency police services, but allow the city to keep current employees and give them pay raises.

Ventura is facing at least a $4 million shortfall in the fiscal year, which begins July 1, because of dramatic drops in city revenues.

City leaders traditionally adopt an operating budget in June, but City Manager Rick Cole wants to make cuts now in light of a sagging national economy and slim chances that city revenues will rebound in the coming months.

The city staff has suggested closing police storefronts, eliminating extra police foot patrols downtown and offering fewer grants to nonprofit and arts organizations.

"We have to live within our means," Mayor Christy Weir said.

A $1.49 monthly fee on all local telephone lines takes effect Tuesday to help pay for 911 dispatch services.

In a separate action Monday, the council is expected to waive a controversial new $99 fee charged to hillside homeowners for weed-abatement inspections.

The fee would have generated about $120,000, and rescinding it will add to the city's budget challenges.

Other recommended cuts include:

n Reducing the use of outside attorneys and replacing a legal secretary with a paralegal.

n Cutting sidewalk, curb and gutter repairs by 60 percent.

n Reducing park renovations by half.

n Eliminating some city warehouse operations.

n Reducing reliance on outside planning consultants.

The city also is considering closing City Hall every other Friday and over the Christmas holiday. Employees would still work 80 hours during a nine-day work schedule.

The $4.2 million worth of recommended cuts and restructuring was developed with input from more than 70 city employees and the Ventura Chamber of Commerce.

To close the fiscal gap, staff members stressed eliminating or restructuring lower priorities, rather than simply slashing departments with across-the-board cuts.

Staff members also looked at ways to be more efficient.

Just a handful of city positions, most already vacant, likely would be eliminated during the next 12 months, Cole said.

All employees are expected to get pay increases, Cole said, because the City Council has maintained a commitment toward competitive salaries to retain and attract employees. The city's largest employee union agreed to three years of no raises during the last round of fiscal woes and should not carry the burden again, officials said.

Sworn police officers are entitled to a 12 percent raise in October.

Police management employees, who virtually all receive six-figure compensation packages, agreed to defer raises until January.

Cole warned that falling home values and sales tax revenue, coupled with state and federal cuts, could force more city belt-tightening later.

The City Council meets at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 501 Poli St.