The City Council invites all Culver Citizens to participate a series of five "Dialogue Meetings" held in locations throughout the city to garner community input on the current state and future plans for the city’s finances. The first meeting will be held this Monday, June 18, at 7:00 at the City Council Chambers. 

The schedule for additional meetings is:

• Saturday, June 23, 2012 – 10:00 AM  El Rincon Elementary School
• Monday, June 25, 2012 – 7:00 PM  Veterans Memorial Rotunda Room
• Monday, July 9, 2012 – 7:00 PM  Linwood Howe Elementary School
• Monday, July 16, 2012 – 7:00 PM  City Council Chambers

Here is the city's explanation for why these meeting are being held:

"In response to the onset of the economic recession in 2008 and continued raids on the City’s revenues by the State of California, the City has cut millions in expenses, reduced by 71 the number of employee positions, lowered employee compensation, and increased the amount employees pay for retirement.  On February 1, 2012, through the dissolution of the Culver City Redevelopment Agency, the State redirected $7.5 million in local funds, erasing the expenditure reductions achieved by the City over the past three years.  The City Council is now faced with very difficult decisions to maintain the fiscal stability of the City while continuing to provide high quality City services, including Police, Fire, Parks, and Senior Services.  The City Council will be considering additional cuts along with a proposal to increase the sales tax by .5%.  YOUR INPUT IS IMPORTANT!!"