At last week’s council meeting, it was revealed that the city received an extra $3 million in tax revenue, due to unplanned upticks in the number of people who shop, park in metered spaces, stay in hotels, and eat out in Laguna Beach. An increase in property tax and building permit fees also contributed to the windfall.

The cash has already been earmarked for spending. Some of the planned expenses, according to the city’s mid-year-budget report, include:

•$1 million toward the cleanup of an old dump in Laguna Canyon that might be loaded with toxins.

•$524,900 toward buying a shiny new fire engine.

•$500,000 toward the lifeguard headquarters and public restroom project.

•$10,000 to analyze city-owned trees in Bluebird Canyon.

•$50,000 to cover emergency repairs to the sewer system.

Wise buys, or frivolous, out-of-control spending? What do you think the city should have spent the extra money on?

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