Something I don't understand: cities and counties in California are said to be broke, so how is it that the Palo Alto public works department is able to send ou

Something I don't understand: cities and counties in California are said to be broke, so how is it that the Palo Alto public works department is able to send out a work crew to cut down these oak trees? Is Palo Alto running a surplus that they need to spend before its fiscal year is over?