Cuts to the Fire Department are proposed in the city budget.Sacramento city officials have scheduled 10 public meetings on the city budget over the next seven weeks.
The City Council is wrestling with a $39 million budget gap and is considering recommendations from the city manager’s office to lay off hundreds of municipal employees.
The public is welcome at the budget hearings, which will be led by the City Council.
“It’s important that the public’s voice is heard,” city spokeswoman Amy Williams said. “These are hard decisions that lie ahead.”
During the next few weeks, Williams said she aims to keep as much budget information as possible on the city’s website.
A link to city budget documents is on the front page of the website.
All of the budget meetings will be held at Sacramento City Hall at 915 I St. The budget schedule may change, Williams said. Citizens can check the city’s website for updated information throughout the budget process, she said.
Here is the list of hearings on the 2011/2012 fiscal year budget:
When: Thursday, May 12, 6 p.m.
On the agenda: Parks and Recreation Department, budget assumptions, planned budget cuts
When: Tuesday, May 17, 2 p.m.
On the agenda: Convention, Culture and Leisure Department; Community Development Department
When: Tuesday, May 17, 6 p.m.
On the agenda: Police Department
When: Tuesday, May 24, 2 p.m.
On the agenda: Economic Development, General Services, Support, Transportation, Utilities, Charter Offices (City Attorney, City Clerk, City Treasurer)
When: Tuesday, May 24, 6 p.m.
On the agenda: Fire Department
When: Tuesday, May 31, 6 p.m.
On the agenda: Library, agencies that partner with the city
When: Thursday, June 2, 6 p.m. (Tentative meeting)
On the agenda: Budget options
When: Tuesday, June 7, 6 p.m.
On the agenda: Facilities and infrastructure budget (known formally as the capital improvement program), discussion of budget cuts
When: Tuesday, June 14, 6 p.m.
On the agenda: Update on city labor unions, finish plans for budget cuts
When: Tuesday, June 21, 6 p.m.
On the agenda: The City Council will approve the budget.
Source: city of Sacramento
Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.
