San Juan Bautista’s City Council had given approval to the 2012-13 budget, but will have to go back and re-approve it because officials needed to add an unfunded $382,000 item to the capital improvements list for a future water softener plant.
San Juan council members unanimously approved the budget at their recent meeting in June, but will reconsider the amended list of expenses July 17, said City Manager Roger Grimsley. This year’s general fund budget is estimated at $1.039 million, while the city expects to generate a slight surplus allowing for likely 5 percent pay increases for employees.
The city has two other capital items independent from the general fund – the $382,000 toward the water softener plant expected to cost a total of about $600,000 and another $342,000 for street overlays, Grimsley said. The street overlays are funded through the Council of San Benito County Governments, while the city hopes to pay for the water softener work with a grant or loans.
Grimsley explained that the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board had requested the city include the water softener plant – what the city manager called San Juan’s No. 1 priority – in its budget because the state agency wants San Juan to proceed with the project.
“It shows we are committed to doing it. We are seeking the funds and amended the budget to reflect that,” Grimsley said.
As for the street overlays, some of the work areas will include The Alameda, Second Street, San Antonio Street, Washington Street and Church Street, Grimsley mentioned.
In other San Juan news:
– San Juan officials are weighing whether to add a dangerous dogs ordinance to the city code. It would add a provision regarding dangerous dogs that are at-large. It would give the pound master – the city manager or a designee, in San Juan’s case the public works department – the right to take the animals to the pound, Grimsley said. It came about after a woman about five months ago complained about an incident involving a rottweiler that was aggressive toward her.
– The council this month will consider lowering the yearly levy for the Valley Vista landscape and lighting district from $822 to 760. An assessment called for the lower fee. The subdivision includes 35 homes off First Street.
– San Juan’s newest restaurant is called The Happy Rooster. It is Italian and American eatery and is open daily 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. It is located at 313 Third St. near the recently re-opened San Juan Bakery.
– The bakery was set to host the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau’s monthly Business After Hours event Wednesday – scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
