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This week’s listings on the back page

City tax revenues trump expectations

Singing in the drought

BY DALE MYERS

The Carpinteria City Council in its April 27 meeting received a report briefly outlining the city’s third quarter financial results for the current fiscal year 2014-15. Administrative Services Director John Thornberry reported that property tax revenue was up $48,000. “The highlight of the third quarter was the transient occupancy tax,” said Thornberry, “which was up $221,000.” Right-of-way improvements, like curbs, gutters, streets and sidewalks, are under-funded, council members learned. At its May 26 meeting, the council will further consider the state of Carpinteria’s funding for general maintenance, known as District 3 in the city’s budget. “This district is not fiscally sound,” said Thornberry. Councilman Brad Stein added, “As a community, we are going to have to face the music one day that the cost of maintaining streets is going up.”

ing a continuation and improvement of the Carpinteria City Beach winter berm, which annually costs beach residents $22,000 and the city $15,000. “It’s a nice flood- and damage-control project,” said Parks and Recreation Director Matt Roberts. “We get (the berm) down way before the summer beach season.”

50th anniversary city seal lauded

DOBBINS

9 Street footbridge deemed complete th

The council also voted unanimously in favor of authorizing the mayor to sign a closeout agreement for the 9th Street Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Project, which cost $231,248. “It was better than expected and under budget,” said Councilman Stein. “The existing 9th Street pedestrian bridge was nearing the end of its useful life,” said Matt Meachler, a civil engineer with the city. “Everything (with the new bridge) was done per plan and per spec. We got a good product.”

Berm to receive annual review

In other business, the council voted unanimously to set a public hearing date for May 26, to consider authoriz-

The council voted unanimously in favor of approving a 50th anniversary city seal and authorizing the announcement to federal, state and local officials of the City of Carpinteria’s 50th anniversary. The 50th anniversary seal utilizes the existing city logo, which was designed 50 years ago by Carpinteria High School student Robert Perez as part of a contest. The original logo has been enhanced with a “50th Year Golden Jubilee” banner. “This is a real milestone in the history of Carpinteria,” said City Manager Dave Durflinger. “The new seal becomes part of historical record.” The next City Council meeting will take place on Monday, May 11, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave.

CATE SCHOOL

Senior Jamie Jared dances his way through Cate School’s production of “Singing in the Rain” at the school’s Hitchcock Theatre. The classic movie-turned-stage show entertained audiences on April 24 and 25 and served as a “hopeful rain dance” for the drought-stricken state, said Director Jessica Block. Jared is Cate’s own Gene Kelly, said Block, bringing skillful acting, singing and dancing to the local stage.

State of the Community

Carpinteria’s economy is looking up. Representatives from the city and county reflected on where Carpinteria is and where it’s heading during the April 28 State of the Community put on by the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce. See page 7 for details on the annual event.