Councilman Wants 15 Percent Budget Cut

In light of budget workshops and trying to pass the city’s budget, Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo has asked for a 15 percent cut of the 2011 budget.

Mayor Dawn Zimmer during the last council meeting, which was adopted by the council.

But, the mayor said in an interview on Wednesday afternoon, the only way to achieve a 15 percent reduction of the budget—at this point into the fiscal year—is by laying people off.

Lay offs, "that's what he's asking for," Zimmer said about Russo's proposal. She added that lay offs would have to be “massive,” in order to achieve a 15 percent cut.

Zimmer called the budget “solid,” and once more emphasized the need for a surplus.

In his release, Russo said that the council has to be "really honest about choosing between what is needed and what is wanted." 

He added, "the council is going to make some difficult choices, but taxpayers want to see spending that reflects their priorities, not politics."

The responsibility of passing the 2011 budget currently lies in the hands of the city council.

"This is their number one job, Zimmer said. Without a budget, she said, “the city shuts down."

Russo said, through a press release, that “the administration will have to come clean about the size of the city surplus and will have to explain how salaries for public relations and personal aides have increased, while the city reduces public safety and other critical services, including snow removal and infrastructure repairs.”

Zimmer said that the saved the city “millions of dollars.”

The council will be holding its second budget workshop next week, after which the council will have to vote on it.