Mission Viejo : Budget Filled With Capital Projects OKd

A budget loaded with street and park improvements was approved by the City Council this week. However, the council cut in half a proposed $20,000 donation to help the academic decathlon program in the Saddleback Unified School District.

The $27.5-million budget for fiscal 1991-92 includes $7.7 million for capital improvements, including the renovation of several major roads in the city.

The largest single chunk of money will go toward improving Oso Viejo Park. At least $1.1 million will pay for two lighted baseball diamonds that can be converted to soccer fields. The 41-acre park already contains ball fields and the Oso Viejo Community and Senior Center.

Another recreation area, Flamenco Park, will gain $594,000 in improvements such as playgrounds and landscaping.

The city will also spend $586,000 improving Marguerite Parkway and $633,000 improving Los Alisos Boulevard.

However, council members reconsidered their initial approval of spending $20,000 to help local academic decathlon programs. Concerned that organizers of several other programs cut by the district would turn to the city for help, the council agreed to give $2,500 to each of four district high schools--El Toro High School, Trabuco Hills High School, Laguna Hills High School and Mission Viejo High School.

Previously, the council had approved giving $5,000 to each school.

City staff told the council that budget figures may need to be revised pending final adoption of the state budget.