Battle Creek To Vote On Cuts To Police, Fire, And More On Tuesday

Tuesday, the City of Battle Creek will be making a decision on whether to make large budget cuts in various departments to help make up a budget shortfall.

The City has been in discussions with the Michigan Department of Treasury about how to make up a shortfall of $2.3 million that resulted from a change in the state’s personal property tax exemption rules. The Battle Creek City Commission will be voting on a resolution February 4, that would reduce budget expenditure by $1.8 million for the fiscal year ending June 30.

This proposal would make cuts to several departments, including $700,000 from the Police Department, $400,000 from the Fire Department, and $158,000 from the Recreation Department; even with all the cuts the budget will still be about $409,000 short, so the difference will need to be made up with the general fund balance. This plan makes fewer cuts to Police and Fire than initially proposed, and no cuts are being made to the Transit department.

A public workshop was held last month so citizens could give their input on the plans.