Most Metro Departments Face Budget Cuts
Metro Schools Would Gain $29 Million Under Plan
POSTED: 5:04 pm CDT March 25,
2008
UPDATED: 7:46 pm CDT March 26,
2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The new budget for the city of Nashville was released Tuesday evening, and it looks like there will be cuts in almost every department.
Figures released by the mayor's office show that every department is facing cuts except public schools. The school system would stand to gain $29 million under the new budget.A total of 327 Metro jobs would be cut under the plan. About 127 of the jobs are currently vacant, which means about 200 people would be impacted.The fire department would receive three new ambulances, and the Metro Police Department would be fully staffed under the proposed budget.The proposed budget could also mean layoffs for some Metro park employees and would contract private companies to sell concessions at the parks.The budget also calls for Metro libraries to lay off some workers and force three branches to trim back their hours. It was unclear on Tuesday which three libraries would be affected.The mayor's budget gives the Metro Transit Authority $500,000 to offset fuel costs, but MTA will have to drop some routes.Public Works Faces CutsMetro Public Works affects many parts of daily life. The department maintains sidewalks, streets and traffic lights, garbage pickup and an assortment of other tasks.
Video: Metro Public Works Faces Budget Cuts"I count on it to keep my area of living clean so that my garbage is picked up every week and my trash cans aren't overflowing," said one resident.But Mayor Karl Dean's proposed budget may threaten some of those services. He hasn't said how much, but he said he will cut the Public Works budget next year.Public Works Director Billy Lynch said his department will still provide the services that it already does, but maybe not as often.For example, it may take longer to answer complaints about litter and pot holes, and Lynch said he'll have to send out smaller crews."Where we may have sent four people, we may send three people or two people," he said.Hours may also be cut back at two of Nashville's three recycling centers and layoffs are also possible, but Lynch wasn't sure of the number yet.
| Related: Video: Various Departments Affected By Proposed Metro Budget | Read The Full Budget Proposal (pdf) | |
Video: Metro Public Works Faces Budget Cuts"I count on it to keep my area of living clean so that my garbage is picked up every week and my trash cans aren't overflowing," said one resident.But Mayor Karl Dean's proposed budget may threaten some of those services. He hasn't said how much, but he said he will cut the Public Works budget next year.Public Works Director Billy Lynch said his department will still provide the services that it already does, but maybe not as often.For example, it may take longer to answer complaints about litter and pot holes, and Lynch said he'll have to send out smaller crews."Where we may have sent four people, we may send three people or two people," he said.Hours may also be cut back at two of Nashville's three recycling centers and layoffs are also possible, but Lynch wasn't sure of the number yet.Copyright 2008 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved.
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