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About Town - Hermosa Beach
Money talk
The city council will meet at 7:10 p.m. today for a workshop on the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1.
The preliminary budget, a balanced one calling for $15.2 million in spending, would use the largest chunk of revenue, 37 percent, for public safety such as police and fire services. The next largest spending category would be 35 percent for capital improvements, such as street and sewer repairs and an overhaul of Valley Park.
City officials estimate that revenues in the unrestricted general fund will reach $10.5 million. That marks a 5 percent increase over the current budget, excluding last year's $1 million donation by longtime resident David T. Schumacher for the city's renovation of the pier head.
Some 31 percent of the general fund is made up of property taxes, with 17 percent coming from sales taxes and 12 percent from the utility users tax. A ballot measure to repeal the 6 percent utility users tax was overwhelmingly rejected by Hermosa voters in November.
Property tax revenue is expected to increase by 5 percent in the coming fiscal year, according to a report by City Manager Steve Burrell. Sales tax revenue has shot up 24 percent in the past two years and 46 percent over the past five years.
Free jazz
It costs no ducats to lend an ear to Seven Or Six Trombones, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 8, or to hear the El Camino College Pop Concert Orchestra and the school's Summer Band, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 29. Both shows are on the Pier Plaza.
The performances are part of the Thursday free jazz series put together by South Bay jazz ambassador Ozzie Cadena (also the name of an accomplished Filipino League shortstop from the 1930s).
Cadena continues to vigorously promote his Jazz Alumni program, which sponsors performances by various jazz luminaries in the beach cities.
For the latest local jazzbo info call 937-4693.
Police Beat