Panel Would Like To Know What You Think

There’s a money problem at City Hall, and officials are looking to make cuts.

Before they do, they want to hear from residents about where those cuts should be made.

What’s the most important service the city provides? What should fall to the cutting room floor? What should be left alone?

Residents who think they’ve got answers or just want to hear about the problems can attend a town hall meeting Wednesday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Ferris High School, 3020 E. 37th Ave.

The meeting is sponsored by the Spokane Community Partners, a group of 30 residents chosen by the City Council to help set service priorities for the 1996 budget. Cary Bozeman, a Seattle consultant, has been hired by the city to lead the discussions.

Bozeman’s $45,000 contract has been heavily criticized by some residents who say one of the first areas the city should cut is consultant fees.

Chris Marr, the group’s co-chairman, said the town hall meeting is just one of several things being done to find out what residents want.

The project began with focus group meetings, followed by a telephone survey.

“We’re leaving ourselves open for information overload,” Marr said. “It’s always better to have too much information than not enough.”

, DataTimes MEMO: Questionnaire A questionnaire on city services appears on Perspective, page A15 in today’s Spokesman-Review. A survey also is planned for the city’s utility bills.