Claremont, CA ¾ The City Council adopted the City's budget for fiscal years 2000-2002, its first of the 21^st Century, at its regular meeting on June 27, 2000. It includes a number of projects and work efforts designed to have a positive influence on what kind of place Claremont will be in the new millennium.

Among the projects with the most significant impact on the Claremont of tomorrow are the opening of the Alexander Hughes Community Center, adoption and implementation of the Village Expansion Specific Plan, and planning of the 24-acre Padua Avenue Park in northwest Claremont.

The budget details an expenditure plan for all City operations, the Redevelopment Agency, enterprise, capital improvement, and grant funded operations totaling $33,386,298 in 36 separate funds for 2000-01, which is a 12.6% increase from 1999-00. This increase is attributed to the $3,420,000 cost for renovation of the Community Center. The General Fund operating budget is balanced at $13,542,890, which is a 1.4% increase from 1999-00.

Preserving the quality of life

Of course, the new budget continues to provide the level of City services necessary to preserve the community's high quality of life. Well-maintained streets and facilities, public safety, and recreational programming for all ages continue to be priorities for the City because residents have said they are priorities for them.

The key to having Claremont retain its special character is maintaining its status as a balanced community. That means:

• providing programs and services for all age groups;
• continuing to embrace the diversity of our residents;
• protecting the environment while encouraging appropriate development, and;
• respecting traditional values while embracing new ideas.

The challenge faced by City officials is to integrate these general principles into specific projects and work efforts. The 2000-02 budget and work plan help the City do exactly that. Much of what's in the document is a direct response to comments gathered from the nearly 1,000 residents who took part in this year's Claremont Choices process. Participants provided input on several specific community issues as well as their satisfaction with and attitudes toward City services and the quality of life in Claremont.

Major projects

There are a number of exciting work efforts outlined in the 2000-02 budget. Some of the more noteworthy include:

• improve communications by having more opportunities for face-to-face interaction with the City Council, increasing publication of The City Letter, and expanding the City's web site and use of e-mail;
• address the community's need for more recreational facilities and programs by opening the Alexander Hughes Community Center, constructing a roller hockey rink, designing the Padua Avenue Park, and expanding the TRACKS and Tiny Tots programs;
• focus on economic development by completing the Village Expansion Specific Plan and then working with private developers to implement the Plan, and continuing to work toward improvements at the Claremont Inn and Griswold's Old School House site;
• enhance community confidence in the police by providing increased opportunities for community involvement with the department and expanding sensitivity and diversity training for all City employees, and;
• continue paying for Sunday hours at the Library.

An outline of these and other projects are contained in City Manager Glenn Southard's budget transmittal letter to the City Council, which serves as an introduction to the document.

The budget  is available for review at City Hall or the Claremont Library during normal operating hours.