If you missed it, an article about Garland's forthcoming budget ran in the Dallas Morning News Metro section yesterday. Bryan Bradford, the city's director of budget and research, and a District 1 resident, is extensively quoted.
 
Last year, I heard moans about what a tough budget we had. I said several times, "This is not that tough; wait until next year!" Next year is here and it is, as predicted, even tougher. Fortunately, the Council and the staff took strong action last year or we would be a in a much, much worse situation, something akin to those situations so many other cities are now facing.
 
Budget review and discussions start in August. In initial reports that I've heard, city administration will propose several cost-cutting measures. The greatest impact on city employees would be no pay raises this year for anyone. There has been mention of a possible three-day unpaid furlough for employees, effectively cutting take-home pay this year.
 
My philosophy has been, and continues to be, seeking operating efficiencies where ever possible, looking to the corporate world for best practices whenever practical. I hope the city can move through this economic downturn as lean and efficient as possible. As we exit and revenues to the city start to increase, we will be much better prepared to tackle the challenges of growing the city and enhancing the quality of life to citizens ̬ because we will finally have some money to tackle those issues!
 
We need to promote the city to entise residents and businesses that help keep us growing and strong. We need to have neighborhoods, attractions, and services that keep them here. We need to control taxes and debt to not send them scurrying to other locales.
 
For now, we must be especially fiscally prudent.
 

From the Dallas Morning News:

Garland taking steps to avoid layoffs

10:29 PM CDT on Wednesday, July 15, 2009
By RAY LESZCYNSKI / The Dallas Morning News
rleszcynski@dallasnews.com
 
Although a $7 million budget shortfall will translate into about 5 percent of next year's general fund, the city of Garland isn't telling employees to clean out their desks just yet.
 
In anticipating the decline in the residential tax base and initiating a hiring freeze in October, the staff hopes to keep all hands on board when it presents a balanced budget to the City Council on Aug. 3.
 
"We saw this coming and took a lot of cuts last year in preparation," said Bryan Bradford, the city's senior managing director of budget and research. "What we've communicated to the employees is that there are a lot of options on the table. Those options include possible furloughs, pay reductions or position eliminations.

Garland officials said cuts made in last year's budget will make this year's $7 million shortfall easier to stomach. Cuts then included: 52 positions eliminated or banked Reductions in overtime and holiday pay Reductions in city vehicle fleet and equipment Closing of the Ridgewood Branch library Suspension of Star Spangled Fourth funding Elimination of seasonal flower planting at entryways and city facilities

 
"Where it sits right now, and we haven't gotten final numbers, is that we hope to reduce position eliminations to vacant positions."
 
The city banked or eliminated 52 positions last year and about as many in 2007. It also entered the current year with strong reserves, Bradford said, which provides the flexibility to minimize the hit to residents and employees.
 
"What has surprised us is the magnitude of the sales tax loss," Bradford said. "It looks like end of day we're going to have over a $1.5 million loss in sales tax compared to what we had budgeted last year, probably closer to $2 million."
 
Nowhere are the hard times more evident than in the city's LBJ corridor. It was announced last week that the 40-year-old Target store on Centerville Road would close in October. Chances of finding a replacement seem dim considering that two nearby grocery stores and a Mervyn's have been empty for years.
 
But even the city's golden child on the north side, Firewheel Town Center, has been hit. After sparking the city's $4.2 million in sales tax growth between 2002 and 2006, the mall has faced recent big box closings of Circuit City and Linens 'n Things.
 
The city will generate about $21 million in sales tax revenue this year, Bradford said. That compares with $22.5 million in 2006.
 
"Nothing that happens to us this year is going to be as bad as last year," said Jim Stone, the city's managing director of parks.
 
That's when his recreation centers lost five positions to a reduction in force, and two other positions that were authorized were not funded. On top of that, the city accelerated the closure of the Ridgewood Branch Library – moving staff and programs to the South Garland Branch two miles away.
 
"I can see where they were coming from on closing it," said Billie Watts, who had used the Ridgewood Branch for 20 years. "And I could see for people who live and that area and don't have transportation that it would make it very inconvenient for them."
 
Though the Ridgewood closing replenished South Garland's staffing levels, city employees know that in this economy, there's no such thing as a comfort zone.
 
"Even in the best of times, I'm concerned when somebody leaves because of the time lag to fill the position," branch manager Bill Raley said. "When somebody does leave, people ask about them. It's almost like a family member has moved on."
 

 
Also be sure to catch other bits of news from Ray Leszcynski and Karel Holloway at the DMN Garland Blog.