American Fork approves 10% cut for year's budget

AMERICAN FORK — The City Council approved a lean budget for the 2010–11 fiscal year Tuesday night.

The $40.7 million budget — about 10 percent less than in 2009-10 — was unanimously approved by the four City Council members in attendance at a special session.

"It's a challenge, always, to balance the budget," said Councilman Dale Gunther. "There's always more needs than money, (but) these are times everybody has to tighten their belts and make it work."

Because the city had a good reserve, it was able to avoid cutting wages and jobs, Gunther said. The city also paid off some bonds during the past year, freeing up revenue that should help it weather the poor economic climate, he said.

Residents will not see a rise in property tax or a reduction in services offered by the city.

But American Fork also deferred on capital projects to balance the budget, which could have a negative impact later, Gunther said.

"We'll have some challenges ahead," he said. "Hopefully the economy will improve and give us some help in the future."

— Justin Ritter