San Jose Facing Harsh Reality In Budget Preview
SAN JOSE (KCBS) – This week, San Jose City Council members got their first preview of just how bad the budget picture looks for the next fiscal year which starts in July.
With the city facing another projected $100 million shortfall, the council was presented with three budget scenarios. The most drastic included some extremely devastating cuts.
"It could include perhaps even eliminating library hours at branch libraries, closing down community centers and putting them into reuse, and cutting even more in police and fire," said City Manager Debra Figone.
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed said that the cuts would be less drastic if voters approve a charter change allowing for pension reform.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
"The ballot measure that we're proposing for March would extend the retirement age, slow down the accrual rate for future accruals, while allowing us to pay what people have already earned," said Reed. "We need to slow down the cost increases of retirement benefits in order to be able to provide services to our people."
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