City of Wilmington looking to cut budget for 2009-2010

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo called the outcome of Monday’s City Work session sobering. The city will have to cut its budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. How much is not yet certain.

Monday city officials reviewed suggestions for 5, 10, and 15 percent budget cuts. Fire and police staffs are most likely to be affected by the budget cuts. Mayor Bill Saffo said the cuts are a necessary evil to avoid raising taxes.

“Obviously there’s going to be some pretty dramatic cuts, possibly in services,” said Saffo. “We have to be able to relate to the community that if we’re going to hold the line on taxes were going to have to look at cutting some kind of a service.”

The City Council will review the suggestions from Monday’s Work Session and consider them when forming the budget. The council must balance the budget by the end of June. It will go into effect July 1st.