The proposed 2011 budget for the city of Leavenworth has been called a status quo budget, one that will keep the mill levy flat.
But Mayor Pro Tem Mark Preisinger said Friday that the mill levy is too high. He proposed cutting the budget to reduce the mill levy, but other commissioners didn’t voice support for the suggestion.
The suggestion came after commissioners had met three days in a row to review the proposed $43.68 million budget.
The budget proposed by city staff would keep the mill levy at 51.92 mills.
Preisinger suggested reducing the mill levy to 51 mills. He said this could be accomplished by cutting about $200,000 from the budget.
“I think all of us would love to cut the budget,” Mayor Larry Dedeke said.
But he said there is an expectation for service from the city, and cutting the budget could impact service.
Preisinger said he was not proposing taking an ax to the budget but making surgical cuts.
Dan Williamson, finance director for the city, said the level of cut proposed by Preisinger would mean eliminating positions and laying off employees.
Preisinger said he thinks the budget could be cut without hurting employees.
Williamson asked the mayor pro tem if he had suggestions for cuts.
“I could go through it and come up with suggestions sure,” Preisinger said.
Preisinger said he realized it would take support from a majority of the commission in order to carry out his suggestion.
Dedeke asked the other commissioners if they wanted to pursue the matter. None of the other commissioners spoke.
“Apparently not,” Dedeke said.
Commissioners likely will be asked to approve the budget Aug. 10.
Leavenworth, Kan. —
