Faced with potential half-million-dollar budget shortfall, Kuna makes emergency cuts

The city of Kuna is making budget cuts in anticipation of a projected half-million-dollar shortfall in the current city budget.
Without the cuts, the city faces the possibility of ending the year with only $65,000 in cash reserves.
“It’s clear that we need to take corrective action,” Kuna Mayor Scott Dowdy said Tuesday night. “The sooner we make changes, the sooner we’ll realize savings.”
City Council members Tuesday night authorized immediate cuts, including freezing the $92,000 contingency fund, canceling hiring a grant writer for $15,000, canceling a $15,000 impact fee study and putting a hold on all travel, training, uniforms and equipment upgrades.
Still up for consideration is killing $36,000 in donations that were included in the 2008-09 budget, which was approved in September. Further cuts could include a 6 percent reduction in the city’s $1.35 million contract with the sheriff’s office for police services, killing the $49,500 contract with the Humane Society for animal control and even charging for streetlights, a move that could raise $65,000. Beyond that, the city is even considering layoffs.
City Council members have called a special meeting for 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, at City Hall, 763 W. Avalon St., to consider future steps.