In a measure meant to head off a possible budget crisis in Madison, Mayor Sue Bauman sent a memo Friday afternoon to the heads of city departments asking for proposals that would cut their budgets by 5 percent.
The memo was spurred by Gov. Scott McCallum's state budget reform plan, which includes ending state aid to local governments and may leave Madison with an $8 million to $16 million deficit. The 5 percent reduction proposal is part of Bauman's four-point plan to deal with the possible budget cuts that includes a hiring freeze, the suspension of out-of-state travel and conference expenses and a halt to expensive fixed-asset purchases, such as police cars and office furniture.
\We need to see what agencies will come up with,"" Bauman said. ""It will definitely be a reduction in services. This is just the beginning, unfortunately.""
Bauman also said these cuts are only in the planning stage, and nothing will be certain until the state's budget is settled.
""[The departments] are only being asked for proposals,"" she said.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said he agreed with Bauman that something has to be done now instead of later.
""This is a very serious situation. The mayor has done the right thing,"" he said. ""We in City Hall have no idea to what level the state budget crisis will effect city finances.""
City officials were uncertain on the subject of what the cuts may be. According to Mark Olinger, director of the Department of Planning and Development for Madison, the cuts need to be ""quick and sustainable.""
Olinger added that his department would first look into cutting empty staff positions, then supplies and, if necessary, current staff.
""We will do everything within our power before we look at people that may need to be laid off,"" he said.
Verveer said he was also apprehensive about departments laying off employees. ""We have to find $8 million of fat to cut, and there is not $8 million to be found,"" he said. ""It's a heartbreaking thing, to throw people out of work because of mistakes made by the governor and the legislature and their predecessors.""
Ald. Todd Jarrell, District 8, said he had some concerns about the mayor's plan.
""Why are we cutting across the board ... in every department? We should choose what our priorities are going to be,"" Jarrell said, adding that he objected to the approval of new city projects while the budget is still in flux.
Bauman will present a budgetary analysis to the council members at Tuesday's City Council meeting.
