Temple City : Council Approves Budget

The City Council has dropped plans for a utility tax but increased lighting and landscape fees as part of its $7.4-million budget for 1993-94.

The Council last week voted 4 to 1 in favor of the budget. Councilman Thomas Breazeal, who advocated greater cutbacks to reduce the need for reductions in 1994-95, voted against the budget.

However, council members were unanimous in their decision to scrap the proposed utility tax. Instead, they established a nine-member citizens committee that will be responsible for coming up with budget cutbacks and new sources of revenue to close an expected $650,000 shortfall in 1994-95.

The proposed 1% to 3% tax on phone, gas, water and electric bills would have been discussed at a public hearing July 6 and put into effect in December or January.

Homeowners will see their fees for the city Lighting and Maintenance District rise from $39.23 a year to $43.80 per year, an 11.6% increase.