3 months ago
Share
Little Rock's Board of Directors had its first look Tuesday at a proposed 2010 budget.
There were no final decisions, but we still got a glimpse of what could be on the chopping block if this latest draft gets approved.
Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola says, "What Mr. Moore and I are presenting is a balanced budget."
But Mayor Stodola says there could be some bites from the tough economy. "We've seen an erosion of sales taxes and franchise fees and other revenue sources that's not unlike the rest of the country," says the mayor.
The city expects nearly $7 million less in revenue for the 2010 budget.
To offset that, the mayor and city manager Bruce Moore presented an initial budget Tuesday night. It includes potentially laying off 29 current employees.
Mayor Stodola says, "Our finance department is seeing cuts, our information technology is seeing cuts, certainly parks and recreation is losing 6 full time employees and several part time employees."
The initial draft also includes closing six community alert centers, including the Arch Street location.
Mayor Stodola says the remaining eight alert facilities would pick up the slack.
Mayor Stodola says, "They'll still be maintaining service coverage areas, it's just they wont be doing it from specific locations that we currently have that are leased."
Also closing under this plan, the east little rock swimming pool. The summer outdoor pool at the Jim Dailey Fitness and Aquatics Center would be open only six weeks instead of 12. "When you have to make tough choices on priorities, that's what you got," says Mayor Stodola.
A no-nonsense situation now remains up for debate at City Hall.
The mayor's plan doesn't include any layoffs at the police or fire departments. He says those areas are his top priorities for this budget.
There are also no proposed cuts to the city's funding for the Pulaski County Jail.
The Board of Directors meets next Tuesday night for more discussion on the budget. They must approve it by the end of the year.
