AURORA — Libraries will be cut, and employees will be laid off after the City Council on Monday night gave initial approval to its 2010 budget.
The $231 million general operating budget is about $14 million less than this year. Next year’s budget calls for cuts throughout most departments.
“There are cuts citywide in a number of departments,” said Aurora budget official Jason Batchelor. “The general-fund number is pretty dramatic.”
The latest cuts come as the city has had to trim millions of dollars this year to balance the budget. A decrease in sales-tax revenue and money from construction and building fees are the biggest reasons for the cutbacks.
The City Council agreed to cut about 135 positions for 2010, with about 50 of those positions now filled. The rest were already vacant.
About 40 people who work at libraries will be cut and three of the seven libraries could be shuttered unless voters approve a property-tax hike next month to stave off the closures.
“Everyone on this council feels very sorry we have to make such deep cuts,” City Councilwoman Renie Peterson said. “It saddens me so many folks are losing . . . services that they enjoy.”
The biggest winner Monday night was the Aurora Police Department, which was slated for five layoffs in civilian positions. But the council decided to move some money around and keep those positions.
Also, police were slated for two furlough days next year, but if revenues meet a certain mark, one or both could be rescinded.
The fire department escaped any layoffs this round.
Twenty-two positions will be cut from Parks, Recreation and Open Space.
Also, three swimming pools will no longer be open; two of them had already been shut down this summer. The pool at the former Fitzsimons Army base will remain closed as planned for the new Veterans Affairs Hospital. The Village Green and Pheasant Run pools will not be back next year, either.
“There just simply isn’t any money in the budget to do what we have done in the past,” Councilman Bob Broom said.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
