Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated that the city council voted 8 to 2 to pass the budget. The vote was 7 to 2.
The Sacramento City Council approved a new budget Tuesday evening. The $1.67 billion spending plan closes a $62 million funding gap, without any anticipated layoffs of city employees.
Even so, a total of 80 vacant positions were eliminated, including nearly two dozen police positions.
"We wanted to minimize people having to literally lose their job and we did,” said Mayor Kevin McCarty. “No one is actually losing their job - that's an individual with a family and bills and so forth. We have positions that aren't going to be filled. I know some community members wanted more of that."
The budget also includes fee increases. Beginning in July, on-street parking meters will start at $3 an hour and go up as high as $6 an hour based on tier. Parking garage fees will also increase.
The council decided to restore funding for youth programs that earlier budget proposals eliminated.
Council members voted 7 to 2 to pass the budget. Councilmember Lisa Kaplan voted against it because she said the city needed to make deeper cuts to avoid a future deficit.
"While I am glad we are 'balanced' this year, it really is, in my mind, when you look at budgets, it's fake,” Kaplan said. “Because, if I look at the documents, we have an estimated $60 million deficit."
Councilmember Mai Vang also voted against it.
The budget takes effect July 1.
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