City looks to save time and money

Alicia Robinson

City council members agreed Monday to take a closer look at 23 city

programs and services that could be pared down or cut completely in

an effort to reduce spending.

The 23 programs came from a list of 36 programs and services

suggested for scrutiny by city staff members at the council’s

request.

Monday’s meeting was a continuation of an April 5 meeting, when

council members postponed discussion on priorities in city programs

and services because the meeting ran late. Council members have been

considering the topic since mid-2003, hoping to avert expected

shortfalls in the city budget and minimize the effects of state

fiscal problems.

City staff members will gather detailed information about the 23

programs and deliver it to council in early May when council begins

considering the 2005 budget, City Manager Allan Roeder said.

Programs and services that will be reexamined include adult and

youth recreation such as basketball leagues and soccer programs, a

park ranger program, non-mandated public notification for public

hearings and various support services city staff members provide to

committees.

The key to savings in the budget will be in making staff

operations more efficient, and that’s where streamlining support

services can help, Mayor Gary Monahan said.

“I think anything that saves staff time is a direct savings to our

budget,” he said.

Escaping review by council were the Drug Abuse Resistance

Education program, the already progressing city skate park, wellness

programs for city employees and a new assistant city manager position

that had not been filled.

Roeder has projected a budget shortfall this year of more than $4

million, but he stressed that the possible streamlining or cuts to

programs and services would not take effect until the next fiscal

year.

Monahan noted that the programs to be reviewed won’t necessarily

be cut. Council members will discuss them further when they have more

information on how much money could be saved by making changes.