The Sunnyvale Sun

News

Adopted budget leaves some groups wanting

By Stephen Baxter

The Sunnyvale City Council approved a $278 million city budget in the early hours of June 20 that was 6.8 percent lower than the city's actual 2006-07 budget.

The budget calls for $40 million to be spent on capital and special projects next year, and is part of a balanced, 20-year budget forecast. The council considered the new budget after midnight, five hours into its June 19 council meeting.

Councilwoman Melinda Hamilton said she was uncomfortable dealing with large sums of money at that hour because she was tired, but the council decided to press on. Council members said no council meeting was scheduled for June 25 and some had planned to travel. Also, about six people in the council chambers had waited for it. Vice mayor Tony Spitaleri was absent because of a death in the family, Mayor Otto Lee said.

A city budget must pass by June30 for the start of the new fiscal year.

After doling out money to city programs, the council decided to divide $100,000 among outside organizations.

The council denied money to several groups, including Sunnyvale Alliance Soccer Club. Club leaders had asked for $5,000 to continue waiving membership fees for poor children, many from Sunnvyale's north side. The council also denied a $15,000 request from Call 211 Santa Clara Valley, which provides non-emergency information services, and denied a request from Cupertino Community Services.

Sunnyvale Community Services, a 37-year-old program that aims to prevent homelessness and hunger for low-income families and seniors, was a relative winner. It received $39,211.

Groups such as Euphrat Museum's After School Arts Program, Leadership Sunnyvale, Case Management for Seniors and Silicon Valley Joint Venture received reduced allocations of $5,000 to $26,000.

The council also allocated extra money for periodic cleaning of the 100 block of S. Murphy Avenue.