What Delgado wants

Marina City Budget

When passing the city budget on June 29, the council had asked for more ways to save another 5 percent in spending from the city's $15.9 million operating budget, while protecting public safety, recreation, and senior services.

At Delgado's urging, the Council agreed to look for further budget cuts at the August 10 meeting. After two hours, Council Dave McCall gave up.

"That's about as far as we are going to get this year as far as cutting our budget," McCall said after the two-hour exercise.

After voting to cut the budget by $270,000, Delgado said he wanted deeper cuts.  "I am against passing only ($271,000) in cuts," he said. McCall refused to go further, and voted NO on 44 further various budget reduction proposals. Delgado proposed continuing the effort with the full council at its Aug. 17 meeting.

Team Player

That drew a heated protest from McCall, who said Delgado was unhappy because he didn't get what he wanted.

Council Member Ford also weakened during the two hour meeting, saying, "I'm not willing to sit here and be held hostage."

Delgado replied, "I don't see it as being unreasonable or not being a team player."

What Delgado wants

What Delgado wants is to be able to tell the taxpayers that their council has worked hard to cut everything possible before asking them to raise their own taxes with the two proposals he voted to put on November's ballot.

What Delgado wants is for the City to help seek new revenue and an improved business climate, with programs such as his volunteer banner program, which has raised hotel occupancy 72 percent over this time last year. (See story on this page.)

New Taxes?

The two tax measures — a 1 percent local sales tax and a 2 percent increase in the hotel room tax need a majority for passage. The taxes would be in effect for five years. The City Council says they will review the need for continuing them after three years.