River
Heights is tightening budget belt
By Patrick Oden
January 28, 2009 | RIVER HEIGHTS -- All revenue is
down. from "sales tax to dog licenses," Mayor Bill Baker
told the city council Tuesday.
"We're just going to have to tighten our belts," Baker
said.
From water line problems costing the city more than
$70,000 to Apple Days, River Heights' annual community
celebration, running more than 70 percent over budget,
the need for cutbacks and careful spending were addressed
by Baker.
Baker said he and Treasurer James Brackner would be
working together to "reallocate a lot of funds," yet
expects the overall budget cuts to deviate less than
10 percent from 2008. "We're taking a really hard look
at the budget so we can get the revenue allocated to
the right places," Baker said.
It isn't just River Heights' budget troubles that
will impact the city's residents. Lack of county funds
has halted an effort for a county-wide library system.
"They're going to try to do something," said Baker
"They will probably try to work out some kind of licensing
agreement."
Since it was unclear how the county will approach
this licensing agreement, further discussion of the
library system was tabled until more information becomes
available from the county.
In other matters, adoption of the River Heights' city
plan was tabled, after having been approved by the Planning
and Zoning Commission last Tuesday, pending map revisions.
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