ADELANTO – The city recently announced that it will discuss its fiscal emergency with residents at a Nov. 18 Citywide Informational Meeting to determine how to protect vital community services. City Manager Jim Hart explained Adelanto’s fiscal emergency to the Civic Bee in an email, saying that “the cost of services is approximately $10 million, and we receive tax revenue of approximately $4.5 million.” According to Hart, though the difference is made up from other revenue sources, the city’s ongoing deficit is about $2.6 million, which is down from $5.4 million. “We made significant cuts in the budget – which you know because you covered it – but we don’t really have anywhere else to cut,” Hart told the Bee. “So, Police, Fire, etc., services are at risk without some sort of revenue enhancement.” Hart said that Monday’s meeting is to help develop recommendations to the City Council for how to address the revenue issue. The city’s announcement states that Adelanto faces a real fiscal emergency due to the ongoing effects of the Great Recession, and that the most basic city services, such as police, fire and 911 emergency services, are at stake. “Unfortunately, the state and county have taken millions of dollars from Adelanto, forcing deep cuts to city services,” the city’s website stated. “Local control of funds is critical to maintain essential city services such as police and fire protection, 911 emergency response and street repair.”
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The Citywide Informational Meeting takes place from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18 at Adelanto City Hall, located at 11600 Air Expressway in Adelanto.
For more information, please contact the city at [email protected], or view the announcement at ci.adelanto.ca.us.
