City officials said Wednesday the cost-cutting measures are necessary to keep some city departments from going over their council-approved budgets for the year. Several departments are in danger of exceeding budget because of unanticipated expenses, overtime and rising fuel and utility costs.

The city faces a $7.8 million general fund deficit for the budget year that ends in December and an $11.5 million hole next year.

Last month, city officials announced an assortment of mid-year cuts including a hiring freeze, a ban on nonessential travel, delaying a police recruit class and an amnesty program for people who haven't paid the city's earnings tax.

City Manager Valerie Lemmie had asked five city departments - Police, Fire, Parks, Recreation and Public Services - to cut spending.

"These are not new cuts," said Councilman David Pepper. "This current proposal is trying to hold every department accountable for the budgets approved this year."

Among the planned reductions:

• The Fire Department will "brown-out" or reduce daily staffing at its firehouses. Each day the department staffs 40 fire companies within 26 firehouses. Under this plan, up to six fire companies will be unstaffed. It will also eliminate the 2004 cadet program. Savings: $2.4 million.

• The Police Department has revised its estimates for anticipated retirements, lump-sum payments and compensatory time sellback. Savings: $991,176.

• This winter, the Public Services Department won't clear or salt residential streets on overtime. There will also be reductions in road maintenance associated with guardrails and non-pothole street repairs. Savings: $600,107.

• The Recreation Commission will maintain job vacancies, reduce part-time outdoor maintenance staff, reduce contractual maintenance and close the Butterfield Recreation Center starting Sept. 30. Savings: $76,595.

• The Park Board will eliminate 40 seasonal staff positions, cut financial support to the Mount Airy festival, close all 34 park restrooms (except when there is a paid reservation for park facilities) and reduce mowing. Savings: $185,991.

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