S.L. hosting workshops about budget process

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Mar 4, 2009 | by Aaron Falk Deseret News

Balancing a budget in the midst of a deepening recession is no easy task, and Salt Lake City is looking for a little help.

City leaders plan to host a series of workshops beginning this month, hoping to educate residents about the budget process and gather some public input.

"We want to get feedback to see if their sensibilities match our budget priorities," said Helen Langan, a spokeswoman for Mayor Ralph Becker.

For each of the 90-minute sessions, Becker, city department heads and members of the City Council will be on hand to discuss the 2010 fiscal-year budget.

The three workshops will begin at 7 p.m. The dates and locations are:

March 25 in the Salt Lake City Council Chamber, 451 S. State St.

March 26 in the Rowland Hall dining hall, 720 Guardsman Way.

April 2 in Classroom A of the police department's Pioneer Precinct, 1040 W. 700 South.

Ben McAdams, one of the mayor's top advisers, will also provide updates on the city's plans for the federal stimulus funds, Langan said.

"It's a rare opportunity," Langan said. "It's not something the city has done before."

Meanwhile, city leaders are still working to end this fiscal year with a balanced budget.

Sales-tax revenue has fallen $3 million since the fiscal year began in July. Building permits and business-license fees are down $1.6 million during that time, and interest income is down $1.4 million.

In all, the city has been forced to trim about $8 million from the general fund.

To make up part of that gap, city leaders discussed options Tuesday ranging from waiting to fill vacant positions to reducing the time police patrol cars idle.

A public hearing on changes to the current budget is slated for March 10.

"I think there's a lot of pain still to come," said City Council Chairman Carlton Christensen. "We only have to look at the paper to know we're not alone in this."

E-mail: afalk@desnews.com