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Fire and Police Forces a Priority in 2009 Budget Plan

The San Diego city council on Monday discusses how to spend your money next year. Council members are looking at the budget for fiscal year 2009. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has some highlights.

Fire and Police Forces a Priority in 2009 Budget Plan

The San Diego city council on Monday discusses how to spend your money next year. Council members are looking at the budget for fiscal year 2009. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has some highlights.

Fiscal '09 starts July 1, 2008. Here are some budget priorities, according to the city's independent budget analyst.

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First, more firefighters. More fire stations. A second fire helicopter. More money for brush management.

And more police officers. Better equipment. More attention to gang violence. More money for homeland security, including a citywide evacuation plan.

The analyst proposes two new taxes: a car-rental tax, which would pay for paving roads.  And a real-estate transfer tax, which would buy new fire stations.

The analyst says this is the year to fully fund the pension system, and get the city back in the bond market.

Andrew Phelps, KPBS News.