City’s proposed budget further reduces deficit

May 07, 2010

During an 11-hour budget workshop that ended shortly after midnight earlier today, the Belen City Council and mayor came to consensus on a proposed budget that reduces the city’s deficit by approximately $500,000.

Mayor Rudy Jaramillo and the city council began working to address a projected $3.2-million budget deficit less than two months ago.

After implementing various cuts, including laying off 24 employees in April, the city went into yesterday’s meeting with a deficit of approximately $1.5 million.

By the end of the meeting, the estimated deficit was just above $1 million.

The proposed cuts discussed in last night’s meeting were across every department and largely to internal expenditures, reducing things like building maintenance and telephone costs, while eliminating things like a postage machine lease and engineering expenses.

The city appears to have avoided further reduction in staff, employee salary decreases, reduction in hours, and involuntary furlough days.

Jaramillo and the councilors had lengthy debates and some disagreement about how to proceed with several services, such as summer recreation, garbage pick-up, and recycling.

The general consensus was to continue summer recreation if it can be self-sufficient, to continue to collaborate with Waste Management Inc. for garbage pick-up instead of fully privatizing the service if the city can make it profitable, and to continue operating the city’s recycling center once an employee has been certified to run it.

The city has already cut back several city-sponsored events. With the help of donations, including a $5,000 donation from TLC Plumbing & Utilities, the city won’t have to substantially downsize its Fourth of July celebration. The city will also continue the Miracle on Main Street light parade.

The proposed budget funds only one new project. The municipal court was appropriated $30,000 for a new roof because a leaky roof is causing water damage and the growth of mold in the building.

Yesterday’s meeting didn’t delve into the details of ongoing projects, the most significant of which are the ongoing Camino del Llano improvements.

The city council is expected to consider the proposed budget at its regular meeting on May 17.

Posted in: Budget