HUNTINGTON BEACH -- City workers in Huntington Beach are removing 84 of 167 fire pits along the beach to save money on the crews paid to maintain them.
Removing the fire pits is expected to help the Community Services Department manage budget cuts totaling $303,000 this fiscal year. As a whole, the city is trying to cut spending by about $4 million to balance its budget.
Permanently eliminating half the fire pits is expected to save about $11,800 in labor costs and $12,000 in operating costs.
The crews went ahead and removed the pits before an official council vote on March 1, according to Community Services Director Jim Engle.
If the council votes to keep the pits, they will be replaced.
The move should also help shield the city from lawsuits, according to Engle.
Four claims were filed against the city and state last week after a toddler and teen were burned. The state rejected the claims, clearing the way for a lawsuit, and the city is investigating the incident.
Huntington Beach City Manager Fred Wilson asked all department heads to cut spending by 2 percent. The Fire Department is reducing spending by $748,000; Public Works, $436,000; and the Police Department, $1.33 million, the Register reported.
The city is considering closing Central Library on Sundays, despite its annual attendance of about 62,000 visits on that day, eliminating the city's lobbyist in Sacramento and reducing the Art Center's hours.
Removing the fire pits is expected to help the Community Services Department manage budget cuts totaling $303,000 this fiscal year. As a whole, the city is trying to cut spending by about $4 million to balance its budget.
Permanently eliminating half the fire pits is expected to save about $11,800 in labor costs and $12,000 in operating costs.
The crews went ahead and removed the pits before an official council vote on March 1, according to Community Services Director Jim Engle.
If the council votes to keep the pits, they will be replaced.
The move should also help shield the city from lawsuits, according to Engle.
Four claims were filed against the city and state last week after a toddler and teen were burned. The state rejected the claims, clearing the way for a lawsuit, and the city is investigating the incident.
Huntington Beach City Manager Fred Wilson asked all department heads to cut spending by 2 percent. The Fire Department is reducing spending by $748,000; Public Works, $436,000; and the Police Department, $1.33 million, the Register reported.
The city is considering closing Central Library on Sundays, despite its annual attendance of about 62,000 visits on that day, eliminating the city's lobbyist in Sacramento and reducing the Art Center's hours.
