A plan to cut $1.53 million from this year’s Peachtree City budget met with very minor changes suggested by the City Council at a workshop Tuesday night.

The cuts proposed by city staff include a reduction of $886,000 from departmental budgets and another $290,000 in canceled projects and equipment purchases. The city is also saving $360,000 by delaying some equipment purchases until the end of the year to save on the debt service payments.

City officials cautioned these cuts are only the beginning, as an estimated $3 million will need to be trimmed from next year’s budget in order to avoid a property tax increase. The cuts are expected to be up for a formal council vote at its meeting December 18.

The budget cuts are a response to a projected $910,000 shortfall in this year’s budget due to shrinking revenues, particularly in sales taxes as locals are spending less due to the shaky economy.

City Manager Bernie McMullen said the changes do not reflect any staffing cuts for public safety. A line item that reduced overtime in the police budget was actually money set aside to have an third officer during all city court sessions for security, McMullen said.

But that officer is only needed on the days arraignments are held, McMullen said. The officer will not be needed on days regular court is held because there will be other officers present for cases, McMullen said.

The city is also expecting to be short $200,000 this year in revenues from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for transportation projects, meaning some will have to be postponed, McMullen said.

The city is also grappling with a $350,000 reduction in projected revenue for impact fees. Much of that was due to a large development for senior residents, Somerby at Peachtree City, being put on hold indefinitely, officials said.

The impact fee shortfall will be covered by contingency funds that were lingering in accounts for a few unfinished projects from previous years’ budgets, said City Finance Director Paul Salvatore.

Among the budget cuts are reduced operating hours at the city’s library and the Kedron Fieldhouse/Aquatic Center. Councilwoman Cyndi Plunkett suggested the city avoid closing on Sundays since it’s the only nearby library that is open that day and does a brisk business according to city data. Leisure Services Director Randy Gaddo said staff would look at other options including perhaps opening an hour later in the mornings during the week.

Staff was also asked to consider closing the Kedron recreation facility when its lowest usage times are to have less of an impact on residents.

The plans include closing the Clover Reach pool and there was also discussion of closing the Pebblepocket pool this summer as well.

Included in the proposed project cuts are:
- Three cart path projects that would have extended the path from Robinson Road along Ga. Highway 54 east towards the Peachtree Crossings East shopping center. Savings: $125,000.
- Improvements to the Battery Way boat docks. Savings: $148,875. This money is being transferred to pay for repairs at the police headquarters.
- A landscaping project for Ga. Highway 54 East. Savings: $33,568.
- Purchasing of a firearms simulator for police training. The city had planned to finance the project. Savings: $34,646.
- Purchasing a wireless fingerprinting system for the police department. Savings: $60,000.
Items of note among the detailed department budget cuts are:
- $8,500 that was budgeted for new laptops for the City Council;
- $25,500 by reducing the printed update newsletter to six times a year;
- $10,500 in overtime pay for police officers including compensation for appearing in court;
- $15,000 in overtime for public services employees
- $4,000 for washing police cars;
- $6,341 in police uniforms
- $6,500 for wellness equipment for the fire department;
- $4,500 in training and education for the finance department;
- $5,000 in drafting services for the planning department;
- $20,726 from the library by reducing operating hours;
- $15,866 by reducing the operating hours of the Kedron recreation facility;
- $35,000 by closing the Clover Reach pool; and
- Over $240,000 from the recreation department including the repair and replacement of fencing at sports fields, resurfacing of tennis and basketball courts, canceling non-local training sessions and reducing the scope of the planned 50th anniversary fireworks.