Commission hears department-level cuts and operational savings to pare expenses

Rob reviewed department-level reductions in the draft: signal streetlight maintenance moved to infrastructure funds ($20,000), city commission travel removed, reductions in education and training, and department operational cuts (police $13,200; fire $7,250). Pierce (speaker 4) said he would forfeit his next-year commission salary to help cover shortfalls: "I forfeited my salary for next year to be able to add..." he said.

Commissioners also suggested administrative changes to reduce costs: assigning fuel charges to the correct equipment, reducing mailed notices in favor of online billing, and department-by-department staffing analysis. Staff said some cuts are necessary to balance the budget without additional revenue.