Council Already Concerned Over Budget

Memphis, Tn - Two months into the New Year and already budget concerns for the city are popping up.

One Memphis City Councilman is specifically worried about cuts to parks. The council was told to expect a 47 million dollar budget gap for the upcoming budget.

The choice, as always, is to cut services, lay off workers, or raise taxes.

Upkeep and expansion of parks could be on the chopping block when it comes to next year's budget.

Councilman Joe Brown says the parks are already in bad shape and is concerned about their future.

"It means taking your young people out of the streets over the summer months, crime deterrent factors, that's involved because children need something to do," he says

Budget discussions haven't even started, but the council was warned to plan for a 47 million dollar deficit.

"This year is going to be extraordinarily tough. We're not out of the woods at all. So, this year is going to be like last year, major cuts," says Councilman Jim Strickland.

But, getting council members to vote for cuts is hard, which leaves raising taxes or laying off city workers.

"We've been decreasing revenues to park services, reducing amenities, we've been balancing the budget on the backs of the citizens and on the children," says Brown.

Budget talks begin in the spring. The budget is usually voted on in June.