Westlake Village approves biggest budget ever





The Westlake Village City Council approved its largest budget ever last month. At $23.1 million, the 200809 operating budget, effective July 1, is nearly $5 million more than the previous budget.

The higher figures are the result of inflation, rising program costs and capital improvement projects, city officials said.

The city expects sales tax revenue to be about $3.5 million for the coming year. Other revenue sources include property taxes, building permit fees, vehicle licensing fees and the hotel/bed tax, which has increased from about $700,000 a year to $2.5 million this year due to the addition of the Four Seasons and the Marriott on Lindero Canyon Road.

The city’s biggest operating expense, law enforcement, is increasing from more than $1.9 million to $2.01 million. The Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department, with whom the city contracts, is said to be passing along the higher cost of fuel.

“We are still monitoring what’s happening with the state and closely following what happens with several elements of the budget as it relates to cities,” City Manager Ray Taylor said.

Although the city is financially healthy, there are $50 million in capital improvements that need to be addressed, Taylor said.

The two biggest are the community sports park project being developed jointly on Thousand Oaks Boulevard with the Triunfo YMCA and road improvements on Lindero Canyon Road.

“There is no possible way we will make a significant dent on those $50 million in capital improvements in the near future unless additional revenue is found,” Taylor said.

A study on revenue opportunities for the future will be reviewed in the fall, Taylor said.

“This is a very prudent, conservative budget that predicts our expenses and keeps our budget in line,” Mayor Philippa Klessig said.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *