LANCASTER, Ohio -- It's not just state departments and state-run programs that are facing drastic cuts. Cities also depend on state monies to keep police and fire crews up and running.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS on how cuts could impact public safety in one Central Ohio city.
The year 2009 is proving to be one of, if not the, most challenging ever for cities.
The city of Lancaster is no different. The city has been working to tighten its belt, and a shrinking budget means no raises for some city workers.
Mayor David S. Smith is juggling a shrinking budget, with an obvious need to improve the community while keeping residents safe.
Unions for both fire and police in Lancaster agreed to pay freezes for 2009, while others in city government received pay raises this year.
Smith said if they could go back and predict just how tight things would be, he might reconsider.
But he said he doesn't feel changing the pay scale mid-year would be fair.
Instead, one of the ideas is increasing the employee contribution for health care.
Currently employees pay in about 10 percent.
The mayor said he would consider trying to have that contribution raised and moving the extra money into the general budget.
The mayor said he's anticipating the possibility of pay freezes heading into 2010, depending on the economic climate in the coming months.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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