Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/francisco-gutierrez/)
The Santa Ana City Council is, for the first time, publicly considering whether to shutter its controversial city jail. But a back-of-the-napkin analysis of the potential costs of such a decision shows why it’s a “tough nut to crack.”
Sources say Orange County District Attorney’s Office has yet to interview key witnesses in the property swap investigation, which both a city investigative report and former FBI agent say is crucial.
City finance officials held a meeting to instruct residents about the municipal budget. Nearly 40 residents attended, armed with questions.
The city has been transferring millions of dollars dedicated toward water expenses to the city’s general fund to pay for public safety costs.
The $196.5-million general fund budget for fiscal year 2012-13 was balanced primarily through the outsourcing of the fire department and concessions from police officer and service employee unions.
In September, the city had only $313,343 in the bank but will
finish the year with a $2.7-million balance, says the city’s
finance director.
The city operates on an approximately $200-million annual budget
but had just $313,343.50 in the bank on Sept. 30.