Posted: Aug. 5, 2009

City department leaders have been asked to trim their budgets by 4 percent and prepare to make more cuts by as much as 15 percent, as officials prepare for a possible budget shortfall.

In a memo at Tuesday's Common Council meeting, Mayor Thomas Taylor outlined several cost-saving measures that will help offset an estimated $2.5 million deficit.

Including a hiring freeze in June, all of the measures combined would drive the deficit down to about $196,000, Taylor said.

Still, Alderman Steve Olson, suggesting the reductions don't go far enough, said he wants to examine more drastic cuts, such as layoffs or contracting for some city services.

"Sitting and waiting is not action," he said. "It's not taking care of the problem."

But Taylor countered that the city is in relatively good financial standing, in large part because of proactive cuts made last year when Franklin abolished six positions from its 2009 budget.

"Other municipalities didn't take the same types of hits, … so we might be a little bit better positioned," he said.

Aldermen's concerns were evident later that evening.

Fire Chief James Martins said an eight-year-old ambulance, which has racked up 99,000 miles and has had mechanical problems, is scheduled to be replaced, with money coming from an equipment replacement fund.

Olson and Aldermen Lyle Sohns and Ken Skowronski said while they are strong supporters of the police and fire departments, the city should try to get more mileage out of the ambulance due to the tough economic times.

"At some point you have to say no" to more spending, Olson said.

While the trio voted against the purchase, it was ultimately approved, with Taylor casting the tiebreaking vote.

City leaders will begin discussions on next year's budget in September.