Battle Creek city commissioners Tuesday night approved a budget for the coming year, which included measures to rectify a shortfall. The general fund, $46 million budget for the 2016-17 year includes a more-than $500,000 dip into reserves, an elimination of funding from the city to the Southwest Michigan Community Development Corporation (formerly Neighborhoods, Inc.), and a two-pronged tax hike totaling .63 mills to fund a new police headquarters and debt related to it.

The city will also eliminate five city jobs. City Manager Rebecca Fleury tells WBCK the positions are all vacant with one exception. That exception is a retirement. The city will elect not to fill those positions as a means of shoring up the budget.

Two commissioners - Mark Behnke and Deb Owens - dissented on the plan, citing apparent concerns over the police building project. Behnke will discuss his position Monday, June 27 at 8:08 a.m on The Richard Piet Show. Click the player below to hear City Manager Rebecca Fleury and Finance Director Linda Morrison discuss it.

Hear The Richard Piet Show weekday mornings from 5:30-9 on WBCK.

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