Big Budget Cuts Hit Boulder: Will You Be Affected?

Boulder hasn't seen severe budget cuts for many years, but they will hit with full force in 2019. The proposed budget for next year slashes 9.3 percent from current spending levels. City spokesman Patrick von Keyserling told the Daily Camera that "It's a conservative budget," claiming the city does not see itself in financial crisis despite near-double-digit cuts. Thirty-six city staff positions will be eliminated - though many are already vacant - and residents will see their water bills rise. The budget is on the agenda for discussion at tonight's City Council Study Session.

One set of controversial potential cuts are at the Carnegie Branch Library. Under the proposal, Boulder's historical collection would go from be available to the public just four hours a week - a significant drop from it's current 25 hours. "We think it's extremely inappropriate to have the library participate in a round of budget cuts this time when it did not participate in the growth in city government," Library Commission chairwoman Joni Teter told the Daily Camera's Shay Castle last week.

The current budget proposals were set in motion in March when the city announced a 4 million dollar anticipated shortfall.

The study session will take place tonight at 6 p.m. at the council chambers at 1777 Broadway. It will also be broadcast on Boulder's Channel 8.

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