Approval of final adjustments on the 2003—04 budget, the last order of business on the agenda, will be the key discussion at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Councilman Steve Goodhue said the city staff recommended numerous budget cuts.

The total recommended amount to be cut is between $730,000 and $740,000, he said.

“These are short-term cuts to meet the budget next year [due to] state cuts,” Goodhue said.

Goodhue estimated state cuts to be roughly $600,000.

According to a memo from Steve Schainker, city manager, to Mayor Ted Tedesco and the city council, the recommended total cuts to cover the deficit are $739,423. This is greater by more than $60,000 from previous recommendations, the memo states, to cushion the budget.

Schainker could not be reached for comment Monday.

Budget cuts from the state came after the city of Ames already had its 2003—04 budget certified, or approved, by the state of Iowa, Goodhue said. Property taxes could be raised in the future, but cannot be raised for the 2003—04 budget since it has already been certified, he said.

“It is not my desire to raise property taxes,” Goodhue said.

Schainker also raised the concern of budget certification in his memo.

“Let me stress again that if it were not by the action of the state legislature to strip us of revenue after out budget had been certified, I would not be supporting any of these actions,” Schainker said. “Unfortunately, we cannot raise property taxes at this late date to offset this important state revenue source.”

To balance the budget, funding for parks and recreation programs and cultural programs will be decreased, Goodhue said. City parking fines will also be increased from $5 to $10 if the adjustments are approved, he said.

Although the budget adjustments are one-time recommendations, Goodhue said many, if not all, adjustments could stay in place beyond the 2003—04 budget.

“Some of [the adjustments] are permanent until we see state funds,” Goodhue said.

Other budget cutting proposals include increasing library fines, increasing the animal adoption fee by $2.50, eliminating summer internships at the city manager’s office, and eliminating the Easter egg hunt and Halloween party provided through parks and recreation.

The council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Ave.