SAN MARCOS -- Worried that state legislators will dip into city coffers to wash away the red ink in California's budget, the leaders of four North County cities gathered in San Marcos on Thursday to issue a collective objection.

"It's time for the state to cut up its local government credit card," San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond said during the 30-minute news conference.

The state budget is nearly two months overdue. Democrats and Republicans are at a stalemate, unable to close a $15.2 billion deficit. The longer the deadlock, the more cities worry that their local property tax, gas tax and redevelopment dollars are vulnerable.

At the urging of the League of California Cities, some cities have passed resolutions opposing state borrowing of local funds. Thursday's gathering, attended by more than two dozen representatives from San Marcos, Vista, Oceanside and Encinitas, was designed to hammer the point home. It mirrored other news conferences held across the state.

"We have people who are suffering because of the economy, and the cities are suffering," Vista Mayor Morris Vance said. "We've done everything we can to cut our budget and get down to the bare bones. … I don't see that same thing happening at the state Legislature."

Over the years, the state has taken $26 million from Vista, Vance said.

"Just think of what we could have done with that $26 million," he said.

City officials estimated they stand to lose a hefty sum this year if the state borrows more local dollars: $2 million in Encinitas, $3 million in Vista, $4 million in San Marcos and $5.5 million in Oceanside.

Public safety, road repairs and community revitalization projects would be hit the hardest, officials said.

In San Marcos, projects such as the Creek District "would be cut or slowed down if this were to pass," Desmond said.

If Vista is forced to make cutbacks, it may have to close a Sheriff's Substation or cut firefighters, as other departments are already running thin, officials said.

That could have dangerous consequences in an area where wildfires are an ever-present threat, Vista fire Chief Gary Fisher said.

"If we have to cut people, that's going to have a significant impact on how those fires are extinguished and controlled," he said.

All of Thursday's speakers urged the state to tighten its belt instead of using local dollars.

"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't an issue that we thought was devastating to individual cities," Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood said.

Contact staff writer Craig TenBroeck at (760) 901-4062 or ctenbroeck@nctimes.com.