The proposed budget for 2009-2010 for the Town of Homer is down 20 percent over the current budget.
At a meeting on Tuesday, June 16, the council reviewed the proposed budget. The $73,000 cut from last year’s budget leaves the council considering a $384,000 budget that is almost 20 percent less than the current working budget.
Notably reductions were seen in the amount of sales tax collected, as well as a general drop in revenues due to the current economic crisis.
The city trimmed expenses by cutting $2,000 off of administration salaries, as well as making cuts in office expenses and shrinking amounts available for repairs. An addition to the proposed budget will come under the streets heading for the Tree City program.
The fire department also had reductions in funds for equipment, repairs and communications.
Mayor Doug Cheek said that the situation is “to unknown right now” and that the council needs to hear from the firemen before finalizing the budget.
The council is expected to have consider the budget at the July 14 council meeting.