Knowing the city's income has been falling the last few years, Cleveland had already made some cost cutting moves:
laying off union workers when concessions were rejected; asking non-union employees to take unpaid time off; and rolling out a city-wide garbage collection fee.
Those and other cost reductions made the budget process less contentious than perhaps some people had anticipated.
Some city departments even went before council having so drastically slashed their budget requests, that they were given more money, as the committees recognized how reduced staff and added responsibilities could strain certain units.
Council President Martin Sweeney.
MARTIN SWEENEY:
"They have such a discipline with director Dumas, the director of finance, we're asking them what 'they' need, (laughs) cause its' so tight."
Sweeney says about the only difference the council and the city administration found on where to spend budget dollars... is a difference you'd notice while driving on the city's roads.
MARTIN SWEENEY:
"Elimination of the local resurfacing. The administration is saying no resurfacing this year; the council is gonna, probably during reconciliation, talk about intensified crack-sealing maintenance program - to try and get some longevity to our streets."
Some talks continue today, but Sweeney says there is no rush to talk about the budget during tonight's council meeting.
Council will see the final budget 'next' Monday, then possibly make minor adjustments throughout the month.
The full budget must be approved by the council no later than April 1.
