Bad economy? No problem, one city says

While the recession sends shudders across the state, the city finances of Calabasas remain built on bedrock


WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers COMMUNICATOR—Calabasas Mayor Mary Sue Maurer delivers her address.

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers COMMUNICATOR—Calabasas Mayor Mary Sue Maurer delivers her address.


The city of Calabasas apparently didn’t see the memo that there’s a recession going on.

Mayor Mary Sue Maurer reported in her Jan. 21 state of the city address that the Calabasas finances are weathering the storm nicely. The city budget even has a record $42 million cash balance in case the rainy days get worse

“We have prepared our budget for this financial downturn,” Maurer told the standing room only crowd gathered in Founders Hall at the city’s new civic center.

“I am happy to report the city of Calabasas remains financially strong.”

Although some revenues are diminished—fees, sales taxes and property taxes— the city has taken steps to manage operations efficiently and ensure that essential services—even nonessential ones— continue unabated.

Maurer said Calabasas city saved more than $350,000 in salary expenses last year while still providing the services that Calabasas residents demand.

Gary Lysik, the city’s chief financial officer, said Calabasas has learned not live paycheck to paycheck.

“If you don’t have a plan in place you’re shooting yourself in the foot,” Lysik said.

To help its cause, city government imposes a utility users tax that remains somewhat recession proof. That same tax isn’t used in Agoura Hills.

The start of the recession failed to deter the city from opening its $41-million state of the art library and city hall last summer, on time and on budget.

“These two buildings are an example of forward thinking and fiscal responsbility,” said Maurer, who is completing her first term on the City Council and is running for reelection on March 3.

She said foot traffic at the library has doubled compared to its previous location at Park Sorrento.

Under Maurer’s watch the city also completed its new general plan, a guidebook for development in the city through the year 2030.

“Although the City is nearly built-out, intelligent growth still requires careful planning,” said Maurer, complimenting a citizens advisory group that helped put the new guidlines together.

The mayor applauded the city’s attention to environmental awareness, especially its second-hand smoke ordinance and an amendment to the law that was passed during her tenure to extend the no smoking ban to apartments.

“It has influenced communities around the world to protect people from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke,” Maurer said.

Calabasas is on target to meet a goal of recycling 75 percent of its waste by 2012, the second most ambitious benchmark in the state behind San Francisco, she said.

Maurer also applauded the city’s newly installed Connect- CTY, an emergency notification system, and AM 1630, the city’s new emergency radio station.

A Citizens Emergency Response Team was launched and will be followed by a Calabasas Medical Reserve Corps consisting of volunteer doctors and nurses.

The success of the city is due to “dynamic, productive, teamwork,” Maurer said.

Resident Gary Klein, a professional urban planner and local 20- year resident, was named Calabasas Citizen of the Year.

“It’s been an act of love for me,” said Klein, who’s been a member of the city’s planning commission for the past eight years and was chairman of the General Plan Advisory Committee.

“It would hurt me not being able to participate,” Klein said.

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