Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Bellevue trims services to balance new budget

Fire chief position eliminated


By STEVE BENSON
Express Staff Writer

Strange days have descended on the Bellevue City Council.

In a special meeting Monday night, the council erased its projected general-fund deficit—eliminating the position of fire chief in the process—attempted to fill the vacant marshal job, and may have permanently lost one of its own members.

Shortly after the meeting began, Councilman Jon Wilkes suddenly said he wasn't feeling well, he didn't "have the patience" to sit through another budget meeting and he would probably resign. Wilkes then stood up, said he would make a final decision by Thursday, and left the room.

Councilman Chris Koch said Wilkes mentioned he was tired before the meeting but didn't say anything about quitting.

"I think he's tired and frustrated—like a lot of people— with what's going on," Koch said. "Maybe he's hit a boiling point, I don't know."

Bellevue has been in a financial bind since city voters rejected a proposal in May to increase property tax rates, which would have added $300,000 to the city's coffers. Since then, the council has struggled to erase a $123,000 deficit in the 2005-2006 draft budget.

Last week, the council declined a request from the marshal's office for an additional officer and an evidence room, eliminated $20,000 slated to improve the city's streets, and considered making cuts to the public library and fire department. About $60,000 in cuts were made last week.

On Monday, the council decided to eliminate Fire Chief Dennis Cannon's position, which was only a year old. The cut will save the city $41,168 a year. Cannon reportedly has several other job offers.

Other cuts hit the city's parks, marshal's office, and library, including $500 for new books.

The total actual cut was $68,713, with a $15,230 carry over, which balanced the budget. Council members and Mayor Jon Anderson also considered cutting their own salaries to provide some breathing room. Anderson is paid $400 a month for his duties, while council members receive $200 a month. The budget will be reviewed again Thursday night at 6:30 p.m., at Bellevue City Hall.

The council decided to offer Tim Greene, a law enforcement officer from Twin Falls, the job of Bellevue marshal. The position opened after interim Marshal Scott Smyth announced his resignation last week.




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