(The Center Square) - The Bossier City Council introduced its proposed 2027 operating and capital budgets Tuesday after city officials identified nearly $3 million in spending cuts to address a projected $1.8 million general fund deficit.

Councilman Chris Smith said officials spent the past four weeks reviewing the spending plan presented by Mayor Tommy Chandler.

"We looked at that budget and slowly chipped away at that $1.8 million deficit because really at the end of the day we have to pass a balanced budget," Smith said. "We could always rob our general fund balance. I don't think that is wise fiscal policy to just lean on our general fund balance, that money's there in case we have another COVID, another market collapse. Another finance situation that none of us can predict that's what that money is there for."

The reductions in spending include $400,000 in overtime expenses, $200,000 for additional grass cutting, $200,000 in software and fuel costs and $100,000 from the engineering department.

Officials also identified savings through changes to health insurance costs and cuts to the City Council's budget.

"All in all, we carved almost $3 million out of the budget if you combined enterprise funds, capital accounts and general fund," Smith said.

The cuts raised concerns from Councilwoman Debra Ross, who questioned how residents would access assistance programs as the city reorganizes its Office of Community Development by cutting $227,000 from its budget.

Smith said the city's community development programs would continue operating, with $500,000 in federal funding expected in 2027. However, responsibility of the programs would shift to other city employees.

"I still think that department doesn't need to be just done away with," Ross said. "I realize that you're going to pass the duties on to someone else, but I don't think it's fair to close that department down."

The city's original 2027 general fund proposal called for about $85.8 million in spending and $83.9 million in revenue, leaving the deficit.

Council members voted to introduce the amended operating and capital budgets.