All departments affected in budget cuts

The Brainerd City Council on Tuesday made cuts resulting from recommendations by City Administrator Dan Vogt.

"I've been involved in city administration going to 32 years now and these are worst economic conditions I've experienced in that time," Vogt said. "The recommendations I am making, especially relating to employees, are extremely difficult but were made firm belief, from my gut, that these are the best decisions in the long-term interests of the city of Brainerd."

To that end, the council went to work on the recommendations, often times blending them with recommendations from council member Bob Olson.

Garnering the most discussion was what to do with the council's own pay and health insurance. Olson recommended cutting $14,700 from the mayor and council's fund, but his motion failed. A motion to cut only wages by $2,850 also failed. A third try, to cut wages by $2,850, the mayor's contingency fund by $750, professional development by $1,000 and $100 from miscellaneous, was approved unanimously.

One item that loomed large for the council, laying off six staffers in the Parks and Recreation Department for six months out the year for a savings about $42,200, was referred to the Park Board for a decision on the cuts, to be returned to the council April 1.

The council cut $4,000 from administration, $122,000 from the street and sewer department, $5,500 from the city attorney, $4,200 from engineering, $1,500 from planning, $87,225 from unallocated funds, $2,000 from inspections, $51,500 from the police, $57,500 from other public safety funds, and $13,500 from the fire department funds.

The council also approved for $108,000 in reorganization to the police department; $22,000 reduction in community service officer hours; accepting a street department and planning department retirements for a savings of $13,800; and having an administration staffer work a half-hour less day for a savings of $2,300.

The council also approved an Olson recommendations to cut an engineering technician aide position and an inspector position.