As you have likely read, the City Council adopted a budget last week with a unanimous vote to not increase income from property taxes. This has been perhaps one of the toughest budget years the city has ever faced. Compared to last year, the budget is down $3.3 million, capital funds have been reduced 100%, training and travel was reduced over 50%, and department supplies and services reduced 14%. Also, six vacant positions are being held open. But most importantly, our Police Association, the Lake City Employees Association, and the Fire Union was willing to forgo their contracted cost of living increases for next year/Wendy Gabriel, Coeur d'Alene city administrator.

DFO: I appreciate that city officials didn't increase my property taxes -- that they made reasoned cuts to balance the budget. But I don't view as much of a sacrifice the fact that the city unions opted not to take their cost-of-living raises. I've taken what amounts to a 10% pay cut this year for the privilege of working 50 to 55 hours a week. Each unpaid furlough (the first of which I'll take next week) amounts to a 2.5% cut. The newsroom might get another one in the fourth quarter. All this, and I feel lucky to have a job. If I didn't support the current administration, I'd be crankier re: the city payroll.