The Jefferson City Council has approved $1.68 million in cuts to cover an unexpected budget shortfall that was revealed late last month.
At the City Council meeting Monday, the council approved an extensive list of cuts to the current budget with no discussion. The largest cuts will hit the streets division within the public works department, where more than $478,000 is being cut, mostly from street chemicals and street materials.
The city's transit system will see a $138,500 cut through cuts to fuel, vehicle repairs and a possible two-hour midday break. That two-hour break would have buses stop running routes midday, which also would stop Handiwheels from running for those two hours, as that service is complimentary to the JeffTran system.
But even if the City Council approves the transit cuts, Public Works Director Roger Schwartze has said federal regulations will require the city to hold public hearings on the proposed schedule change before anything can be implemented. Schwartze has said whatever comes out of the public hearings will be taken back to the council.
The Police Department will see about $121,000 in cuts, largely from overtime. Previously, Police Chief Roger Schroeder had said the overtime cuts will be managed by using compensatory time.
The Fire Department will see $51,660 in cuts, the largest of which comes from overtime. There also is a $10,000 cut to training and education.
The Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce will see their contract with the city take a $15,000 cut.
The cuts also include $187,000 in vacancy savings from not filling open positions at City Hall, as well as $150,000 in savings from the early retirement program.