Lewiston council ponders budget cuts
By Megan Sonderegger
April 19, 2006 | LEWISTON -- Budget
cuts for Lewiston city departments were discussed during
Tuesday's City Council meeting, causing council members
to express their concerns about their lack of funding.
Mayor Kelly Fields said the income for 2005-2006 was
$790,000 and the total expenses came to a rough estimate
of $824,000, causing the total expenditures to exceed
the budget.
"Obviously there will be some cuts," Fields said.
Fields said he talked to several different departments
about their budget needs and many expressed a desire
for an increase in city funding. He said the fire department
received a grant during 2005-2006 totaling their budget
at $34,000 which they have asked for an equivalent of
in the upcoming year.
"Everybody is very willing to come forward and say
what they want to spend but nobody is presenting any
ideas of how to get all that money," Fields said.
Councilman Jeff Hall said the fire department had
an increased budget because of a federal grant and the
city cannot possibly give the same amount of money in
the upcoming year because they "just cant afford it."
He said he feels departments who wish to increase their
budget should be required to offer a presentation to
the council explaining what they plan to do with the
money.
"They should have to come in here with a presentation
saying I want an extra $17,000 for this project," Hall
said.
Fields said he plans to research the amount of funding
further and would like to make the budget understandable
and agreeable to everyone.
"If anyone has thoughts or ideas to do this better
-- I'm all ears," Fields said.
A public budget workshop will be held on May 9 at
6 p.m. to discuss further funding.
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