Council will consider the city’s fourth budget revision next week but it won’t be the last, financial officials said.

Tuesday, October 03, 2000

Council will consider the city’s fourth budget revision next week but it won’t be the last, financial officials said.

This is an emergency measure that doesn’t cut anything, city finance administrator Cindy Anderson told council’s Finance Committee Monday.

It just adjusts amounts so certain line items such as utility bills do not exceed previously budgeted amounts, which would be considered an audit violation by the state, Mrs. Anderson said.

The budget revision will keep the city from being cited and keep utility bills paid, she said.

Jesse Roberts, acting Finance chair in Jim Tordiff’s absence, said the committee’s sponsorship of the revision does not reflect what must be done to deal with the city’s recent economic downturn.

Budget projections show income tax revenues at more than $200,000 less than the lowest collection ever, due to the loss of Cabletron, Intermet jobs and other issues.

Officials said Monday that estimate might be conservative.

"We need to react to it," Roberts said.

There will have to be some hard decisions made about city finances, committee members said.

"Liebert’s a wonderful gift to the city but it will not be enough to make up for the loss," Ms. Anderson said.

Roberts said he would like to see council, the administration and finance officials meet within two weeks.

"We need to do something before the end of October," he said.

Council also wants to appoint a committee to examine ways to increase city revenue and alternatives to cutting city services.