First Pueblo budget public hearing held

The first of two public hearings for the 2013 Pueblo city budget was held Monday night.

The city proposes offsetting a projected $2.4 million deficit by leaving 41 vacant positions unfilled. Eleven of those jobs are in the police department, and the savings could mean more work for members of that force.

“It may mean bringing detectives in to respond to calls for service, rather than not having patrol officers,” said city finance director Sam Azad.

Azad said some of the open positions are in the Streets Division, which could mean fewer street projects next year.

“We’ll have fewer layovers for fixing streets and potholes,” he said. “Something’s got to give when you don’t have enough staff to provide services.”

Much of the comment during the public hearing centered on a proposed funding cut to the zoo — on the same night that zoo officials announced its national accreditation was renewed for five years.

Zoo proponents fear that a funding reduction will jeopardize educational programs for children and free attendance for needy residents.

Azad said Pueblo again may have to dip into its reserve fund to balance the city’s budget. Last year, he said, Pueblo did so while keeping the fund at 10 percent. This year, however, the fund would dip to 8 percent. The City Council would have to decide whether to approve that.

Azad said spending increases, including employee raises, and decreases in incoming revenue, are why Pueblo must make the proposed moves. However, he believes better times are ahead.

“I feel the economy is coming back a little bit,” said Azad. “In Pueblo, we’re relatively constant compared to Colorado Springs or Denver. We don’t have the ups and downs that they do.”

The second and final public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Nov. 26.