Jan. 4--Financially speaking, "things are not rosy" for 2009, according to Moorpark's assistant city manager, Hugh Riley.

But they aren't dire, he added.

With a looming state budget that could cut deeper into local city coffers, Moorpark is bracing for one of the worst economies in recent memory. City leaders are waiting for the state to make a decision on a revised budget.

"We don't know what the state will ultimately do," Riley said.

He said if legislators take away the sales tax on fuel, for example, Moorpark could lose up to $400,000 in general fund revenues. Moorpark already lost about $400,000 in redevelopment agency funds in 2008.

Riley said the city is in the middle of preparing a mid-fiscal year review of its finances.

Last year, the City Council adopted a $73 million budget for fiscal year 2008-09, balancing the books by cutting funding for programs and reducing some positions to part- or half-time pay.

There are no job eliminations anticipated for the 60 employees, Mayor Janice Parvin said.

"We're about right where we have to be," she said, adding that the employees are well-rounded and can take up multiple duties to help out.

In June, the council closed a shortfall of about $739,000 with various budget cuts and deferred maintenance and reserve money, within a general fund of about $15 million.

Some previously expected sales tax revenue will not be coming in since Home Depot has decided against building a new store in Moorpark. In addition, Linens 'n Things will be shutting its doors, along with stores nationwide.

But new businesses are opening and will create several hundred new jobs, including Big Lots, Ross Dress for Less, and Smart & Final.

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