Loma Linda Passes Balanced Budget, But Two Lose Their Jobs

It was tough and, at times painful, said City Manager T. Jarb Thaipejr. But after months of scrutinizing, Loma Linda passed a balanced 2011-12 budget on Tuesday night.

The council approved it with a 4-0 vote. Mayor Pro Tem Ovidiu Popescu was absent.

The city ended the 2010-11 fiscal year with a surplus of $42,000. For the incoming fiscal year, which begins July 1, the city will have $7.9 million in the general fund. Of that, $3.18 million goes into the available fund balance, $3.5 million in the Rainy Day reserve fund and $1.25 million in the equipment replacement reserve.

In order to balance the budget, Thaipejr said he had to make some difficult decisions. Two staffers were cut. Two other vacant positions were eliminated, including the spot left open by Deborah Woldruff, the former Community Development Director who recently retired.

Employees will make a 7 percent contribution to the Public Employee Retirement System instead of the city, officials said.

To offset some of these cuts, furloughs that have cut salaries by 5 percent, or roughly about a half hour a day, will end July 1. Staffers will also get back three floating holidays.

“The reason for that is, we have less and less staff,” Thaipejr told the council. “We are shorthanded. I need the staff to come back to work and help me.”

The council praised Thaipejr and the staff for their efforts. Some of their neighboring cities have not been as fortunate, said councilman Ron Daily.

“Loma Linda is doing quite well, but it’s a great of work and pain,” Daily said. “It is a team effort.”