Money Trouble In Fontana
Marlene Salinas
March 11, 2009
Fontana’s City Council announced yesterday that it will now resort to layoffs and budget reductions from some community services in order to stabilize its economy.
The city is faced with cutting its spending by $6.7 million and has been using some of its reserved funds for some time now in order to avoid the firing of some of its employees.
In reference to using the city’s reserved funds, City Manager Kenneth R. Hunt stated, “Well it has been raining this year and that is what the money had been set aside for.” He then went on to comment about the recent firing of 12 city employees and described the process as being very professional, but it was still a very difficult decision to make. “These aren’t just employees in the city of Fontana,” said Hunt, “They’re like family members.”
Mayor Mark N. Nuami criticized the recent state budget that legislatures passed and the fact that it was now going to cost each family some $1100 in taxes. Nuami went on to mention how worrisome it was for him to think about how some families will pay these taxes since the unemployment rate in the Inland Empire is near 12 percent.
“It’s going to be a rough ride” said Nuami, “But I plan to keep calling the state legislatures and making frequent trips to Washington (D.C.) in order to get some attention for San Bernardino County.”
The county is expecting some $35 million from President Obama’s stimulus plan for the county of San Bernardino. It is unknown how much of that money the city of Fontana will actually receive.
In reference to the mayor’s comment about the economy being over the cliff, City Manager Hunt said, “We don’t know if we are at the bottom of the cliff or just looking over it but, Fontana still has a bright future.”
Other topics discussed in the meeting included that of the proclamation of making March 12, 2009 Arbor Day and to continue the trend of being Tree City U.S.A. for what has now been 13 years. There will also be a community meeting on March 24, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Steelworker Auditorium regarding the proposal of selling off some surplus property located on South Highland Avenue west of Mango Avenue. Community members are urged to attend.
Photo taken from (Left to Right)
Council member Frank Scialdone, Councilmember Janice Rutherford, Mayor Mark Nuaimi, Councilmember Acquanetta Warren, Councilmember John Roberts.
www.fontanachamber.com/ legislative.html
