Council proposes budget cuts

In a brief special meeting of Hillsboro City Council Wednesday evening, council members agreed to reduce the city budget by approximately $237,500.

Reductions were proposed in the general fund, the street department and recreation fund.

Council heard the second reading of a resolution to employ outside legal counsel for labor negotiations, but not before a motion by council member Mary Brown Turner, with a second by council member Bonnie Parr to hire the local firm of Hapner and Hapner.

Council did not support that motion.

Council will hear the third reading of the resolution to employ legal counsel at its next meeting.

Last week, the Hillsboro City Council Finance Committee agreed on an additional $35,000 in proposed cuts to the 2012 budget, and a 2-1 vote was passed to recommend the city continue its contract with the law firm of Blaugrund, Herbert, Kessler, Miller, Myers and Postalakis.

However, at the full council meeting Aug. 13, council did not have sufficient votes to move forward on the motion as an emergency measure.

The resolution had its second reading Aug. 22.

Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Richard Giroux said that the city's "current expenditure with the Blaugrund firm is just shy of $31,000." Giroux also said that his office has spoken with the Blaugrund firm, who had agreed to negotiate "a better hourly rate" should the city decide to contract with them.

Council has had two readings on the measure and could meet again this week.