$282M Newport budget, with funds for more Balboa police, narrowly wins initial OK

A new Newport Beach budget that allocates funds for building projects and more police officers was approved Tuesday night by the City Council.

After about three hours of discussion, the council voted 4 to 3 to approve the $282.4-million spending plan for the 2015-16 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Council members Scott Peotter, Marshall “Duffy” Duffield and Kevin Muldoon voted against the plan, which would increase spending by about $3.8 million over the current budget.

“I can’t in good conscience … support this budget that I view as too large and not taking care of the needs of Newport Beach first,” Muldoon said.

Anticipated general fund expenditures are $183.5 million, up $2.3 million from the revised 2014-15 budget. The lion’s share of that — $124.8 million — would go toward employee salaries and benefits, including those of four new staff members at Marina Park, which is expected to open in 2016.

Non-general fund expenditures pay for ongoing operations and large capital improvement projects.

The city budgeted about $800,000 to hire three police officers and a sergeant to increase patrols on the Balboa Peninsula. Before budget cuts took a toll on staffing levels in 2007, the Police Department had eight officers dedicated to the peninsula, Police Chief Jay Johnson said.

The new expense is expected to be funded through a 25-cent increase in parking rates for the majority of meters on the peninsula.

Peotter requested that the cost be reduced to $200,000, but that proposal did not gain traction with his colleagues.

Peotter also proposed reallocating about $5 million for a new Corona del Mar library and fire station toward seawall repairs. That would push back construction on the library and fire station by a year.

“I think a broken seawall needs to take a higher priority,” Peotter said.

A 2011 city report stated that the seawalls in the harbor, some of which were built 90 years ago, are nearing the end of their usefulness. The walls have begun to crack, worrying residents that they may not be able to weather large storms.

However, Peotter did not gain enough support on the council to change the budget. Several residents and Councilman Keith Curry, who sparred with Peotter over various proposals throughout Tuesday’s meeting, spoke against the idea of removing funds from the library and fire station.

“The financial irresponsibility of this proposal is breathtaking,” Curry said.

Replacing or repairing all the walls is likely to cost the city upward of $20 million, staff has said.

The new budget includes $749,000 for some seawall repairs and the eventual replacement of others, according to city documents.