SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento leaders are debating where the city will need to make cuts to close a $66 million budget deficit.
City Manager Howard Chan's $1.6 billion budget avoids city worker layoffs, but it also includes a variety of fee hikes and service cuts to programs.
On Monday, community members weighed in during the public comment session of the city council meeting.
"I see a lot of folks here who really care about the city, and they care about their community," said Judy Hirigoyen, who was one of several commenters who decided to speak out about the city's proposed $87,000 cut to its funding to the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity.
"This particular museum has no alternative in the area, and you just can't go by without seeing buses that have brought children for field trips," she said.
Others came to ask the council to reconsider cutting its $1 million contribution to the SacRT Ryde Free Program to help kids get to and from school using public transit.
"Why would you take that away from people that are part of the disadvantaged populations?" asked Suzanne Ansell, with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment organization.
"I understand budget cuts need to happen. I think balancing the budget is important. I just think that there must be another place to find those cuts," said Sacramento City Unified School District Vice President Jasjit Singh, agreeing that the SacRT program should not be cut.
Sacramento police and fire representatives also attended the meeting, reiterating the importance of their budgets to public safety.
"We are essentially operating at the same levels that we have been for the last 10, 15, 20 years. So it’s important for everybody to know the impact of any decisions, both this year and in ongoing years," said Ryan Henry, sitting Vice President of the Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522.
Community members will have more opportunities to speak out in coming weeks.
City Council is scheduled to adopt the new budget on June 11, which would take effect on July 1.
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