City Departments to Vie for Budget Funds

They want more after-school programs for youngsters and public restrooms open more than two days a week.

But the proposals from Oxnard department heads could face stiff competition for limited funds as they go before the City Council today with their wish lists.

Oxnard financial analysts learned last week that the city may take in $1.3 million less than expected in the next fiscal year, further stretching an already tight budget.

And last week, during the first round of budget talks, city leaders heard proposals from the fire and police departments, including a police plan to beef up its anti-gang task force at a cost of $546,150.

A rash of youth violence has rocked the city in recent weeks, prompting demands from residents to put more cops on the street.

Grace Magistrale Hoffman, Oxnard’s management and budget officer, said comments from the City Council will help staff put the roughly $60-million budget together by late June.

“We hope to get feedback from council on what they would like to see more of and what they would like to see less of,” Hoffman said.

The budget talks are set for 1:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 305 W. 3rd St.