City Considers, Continues Budget Cuts

NBC 4: Columbus faces its tightest budget crunch in years and members voted unanimously to approve the controversial cuts that included permanent and temporary layoffs for some city workers. Making up $13 million won’t be easy, but it’s a task officials said has to be done to balance the budget.

Columbus city council members made a final decision regarding the budget Monday. One of Mayor Michael Coleman’s suggestions was to implement a five-day temporary layoff for some 1,300 city employees and permanent layoffs for others. That would be in addition to 27 police recruits and 12 middle managers who already were laid off.

Council and the mayor’s office proposed cutting $750,000 from the Summer Strike Force, $800,000 from police fleet purchases and $280,000 from Experience Columbus.
City officials announced the Saturday closing of 13 recreation centers last Friday. The centers could close permanently but at least will remain closed until the economy improves.

The city auditor suggested increasing the income tax to raise revenue for the city last week. Programs like the Community Crime Patrol also remain on the chopping block. While council approved the budget that does not include hiring the police recruits, that does not mean that the issue is over because negotiations continue.