NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Contact: Megan Gilliland, communications manager, (785) 832-3406

City releases preliminary 2009 budget figures

(Lawrence, Ks.) – On Tuesday, City Manager David Corliss announced the preliminary 2009 budget figures which indicate, for a third year in a row, the city continued to spend less money than it received in general fund revenues. In 2009, the general fund ended with expenditures lower than revenues by $340,581.

“In these challenging economic times, it is even more important to manage expenditures to declining revenues,” said Corliss. “I am pleased that city employees continue to look for opportunities to reduce costs. In 2009, like we did in 2007 and 2008, we were able to spend less than the revenues we received in our general fund.”

Although total general fund expenditures grew in 2009, the expenditures not related to the new public safety, infrastructure and transportation sales taxes were actually $70,054 lower than 2008 expenditures. The city reduced expenditures in a variety of ways, including lowered personnel costs. The 2009 budget eliminated funding for 15 vacant positions. An additional 11 vacancies were left open for all or some part of the year. Since 2007, the city has eliminated three department director positions through consolidation. The Planning Department and Neighborhood Resources Department were merged into a new Planning and Development Services Department, the Human Relations Department was brought into the Legal Department, and the Administrative Services Department was brought into the City Manager’s Office.

Although expenditures in the general fund were reduced, maintaining City Commission priorities including street maintenance, infrastructure and public safety needs remained constant.

“We have tremendous needs and remain focused on our core priorities of public safety, infrastructure and economic development,” said Corliss. “Accomplishing these priorities – and balancing the budget – will continue to be a challenge for Lawrence, but at least we have a good track record in our efforts to-date.”

The City Commission and staff will continue to set standards for sound fiscal management in 2010 as staff remains cautiously optimistic about the economic prospects for Lawrence.

For complete information on the city’s budget, visit www.lawrenceks.org/budget. The figures presented are preliminary until the completion of the city’s annual financial audit. 

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