Westside-related issues could come up at hearing/'e-townhall' on city budget Oct. 30

       Some services that may be of interest to Westsiders are on the chopping block in this year's Colorado Springs city budget, with a City Council public hearing scheduled Thursday, Oct. 30. Also being considered is an increase in a Mountain Metro bus ride, from $1.50 to $1.75.
       Called an “e-townhall meeting” (because people can send in questions by e-mail during the session), it will be in council chambers at the old City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave., from 7 to 9 p.m.
       The budget, which is being pared down this year because of lower-than-expected sales tax revenues, currently includes the following possible cutbacks:
       Parks -
  • Summer concerts (possibly including the blues series at Bancroft Park).
  • Public restrooms in parks (they may be closed in the summer, as they were four years ago, to save on maintenance).
  • Tree pruning
  • Weed control and park irrigation
           Buses -
  • Elimination of Route 3's Bott-Robinson loop (this area is also covered currently by Route 32).
           An unofficial possibility (currently in discussion among city officials) is closing or reducing operations at community centers, including the West Intergenerational Center, should a need for more police services require additional budget-balancing.
           A city press release states: “The City Council and City Administration face significant challenges in balancing the 2009 General Fund budget. Citizens are encouraged to participate in the process.”
           The “e-town hall” e-mail address will be: etownhall@springsgov.com. A phone number to call during the meeting is 385-5961. The meeting will also be telecast on Comcast Channel 18. For more information before the meeting, call 385-5852.

    Westside Pioneer article