Albany, OR (KMTR)
The city of Albany will have to make some serious cuts in the midst of a major budget crisis. They're facing a one million dollar hole in this year's property tax revenue. City officials say there are basically three options: One that cuts mostly projects, another that cuts mostly jobs, and one that cuts a little bit of both.The first would move money from the city's street fund that would normally go towards road repairs, and making up for three quarters of the million. This would slow new projects and cut about seven jobs.
The second simply eliminates about fifteen city positions, something city officials say they want to avoid at all costs.
City Manager Wes Hare recommends using Pepsi settlement funds to cover the shortfall, that would mean putting off plans to build a new fire and police station, but it would only cut about five jobs.
Over the last three years the city's had to cut almost thirty jobs, but nothing is final yet. The city counsel will meet on Wednesday to weigh their options.
