AURORA — The City Council Monday night cut another $8.5 million from the general fund budget for 2009 because it expects less revenues from sales tax this year.
The cuts will come in a variety of ways, from hiring freezes to reductions in services. The city will reduce the street maintenance fund by $800,000. That will mean much less resurfacing in residential areas. All non-essential city travel will be eliminated as well.
Libraries were slated to be cut as well, including closing the Chambers Library near Chambers Road and Colfax Avenue, but city officials decided to keep that library open. They will study whether to create a library district to fund libraries in the future.
Also, the city will be able to make up about $750,000 because it locked down fuel prices at lower rates and is guaranteed lower rates if prices continue to decline.
“The earlier we act the less severe the cuts will be,” budget officer Jason Batchelor told the council during a special study session on the budget on Monday.
Things do not look good for 2010, with a projected budget shortall of between $12 million and $25 million next year.
