American Fork leaders propose lean budget

AMERICAN FORK — The budget will shrink, but taxes will not be raised in this northern Utah County city.

American Fork's proposed budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year calls for the general fund to be reduced by $700,000 and the total budget by more than $4.3 million, with secondary irrigation and the city's celebration fund taking some of the biggest cuts.

"It's a lean budget," said Cathy Jensen, American Fork's finance officer. "We're trying to be very conservative."

No employees are proposed to be laid off, but staff would be reduced through attrition, with the exception of critical positions such as police officers. All employee salaries and wages would remain frozen, Jensen said.

American Fork has lost 10 percent of its sales tax revenue, but city leaders are not proposing to raise property tax or reduce utility services.

"We're trying to be fiscally conservative and still try to provide (residents) with services," she said.

— Justin Ritter