Aurora — The good news is that the city’s proposed budget for next year doesn’t call for any cuts in programs. The bad news is that no new significant program enhancements can be funded.
That was the word tonight as city leaders received their proposed budget for 2008, a budget that calls for a 2 percent increase over last year for a $247.8 million general fund. In the next two months, several town meetings will be held before the council formally adopts the budget.
Under the proposed budget, the Police Department would receive four additional hires, although one current full-time position is being transferred to another department. Uniformed police and fire workers also would see a 3.5 percent pay raise, while other civil-service employees would get a 1 percent step raise.
On the negative side, some priorities that there is no money for include a $32 million community events center and $23 million for improving Interstate 225.
Still, the city is in better shape than a few years ago. Between 2001 and 2006, there were $31 million in budget cuts, including the unpopular move of closing some libraries an extra day a week. Those and other cuts were restored last year, but projections do not call for major revenue increases in 2009.
In his proposed budget, City Manager Ron Miller said enough money is there to maintain the current service levels for public safety, parks, libraries and recreation.
