Pueblo’s budget gap is filling

The budget deficit for Pueblo is going down, but cuts are being made in order to reach it.

The preliminary budget for 2015 showed that the city was $3.5 million in the hole, and the updated budget that was presented to City Council on Monday showed the deficit is down to $1.7 million.

City Manager Sam Azad said he increased the estimate on how much Pueblo will make in taxes next year.

But tough cuts were also made to make up the deficit. Azad said the fire department was hit the hardest as what the department is asking for is about $1.3 million less.

“Their request that had several other minor requests such as replacement of vehicles for command staff,” Azad said.

The police department is also getting about $150,000 less than what it asked for according to the budget.

The budget also shows the Pueblo’s Public Works Department is getting more than $100,000 than it requested.

City Council has until the first week of November to finalize a budget for 2015.