City budget is approved

At their June 13 meeting, Lakewood City Council Members approved mid-cycle adjustments to the two-year budget that runs from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024. Lakewood’s budget is balanced in its priorities, with almost equal spending on public safety, public works/ infrastructure, and recreation and community services (each constitute about 25% of the city budget).

Features of the 2023-24 portion of the budget include:

-Expanded funding for sidewalk repairs and tree trimming to provide faster service.

-Continued funding for extra hours of Deputy Sheriff patrols, overnight Security Guard patrols, and a Community Prosecutor who has proven valuable in using the legal system to make progress on many public safety and quality of life issues in neighborhoods.

-Funding for two new Community Safety Officers to be assigned to the Lakewood Center mall. The civilian

CSOs will work in partnership with the Sheriff’s Department and Lakewood Center security and will be a highly presence for the safety for customers and merchants. The CSO sala-

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munity buildings throughout Lakewood.

Lakewood Finance Director

Jose Gomez told the council that the city is on target to end the next fiscal year with a surplus of $3.6 million.

What do you LOVE about Lakewood's Block Party?

Dale & Ellen Hills

Lakewood ries will be partially paid by the mall, which is the longstanding funding practice for Deputy Sheriffs also assigned to the mall. The Deputies and the CSOs help keep the mall safe, which is a benefit for the overall economic health of Lakewood.

-Continued work on the next set of infrastructure improvements in Lakewood to be funded by voter-approved Measure L. These include:

-Renovations to the Weingart Senior Center and Palms Park community building o HVAC, electrical and roofing repairs and upgrades to com-

“These current surpluses are very strategic and part of our longterm plan for success with Measure L,” said Gomez. “We need these surpluses in the early years of Measure L to pay down long-term costs so that we extend the benefits of Measure L for many years into the future, as promised to our residents. Lakewood is in very good financial shape now, and we have the means to stay in good shape for the long term if we continue to be careful with our budgeting.”

See Lakewood’s budget and other city financial documents at www.lakewoodcity.org/ budget.

Pictured, left to right, Councilmember Todd Rogers, Councilmember Cassandra Chase, Mayor Steve Croft, Vice Mayor Ariel Pe, and Councilmember Jeff Wood.

Lakewood

July is my son, Snyder's, birthday month so this event is perfect to come out and celebrate with neighbors. We love the fireworks show, and all of the families out here together, and personally, I love the longer daylight hours.

Dale: July 3rd is my birthday, so I get to watch fireworks on my birthday!

Ellen: Everything about it is perfect, we love the music, the fireworks and everyone is happy

Lakewood

I've lived in Lakewood for 32 years, and I love everything about it, but this event is one of my favorites. I love seeing the community gather like this for good food and good music - Lakewood is a big, happy family.