Deep cuts in preliminary Findlay budget proposal - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

There is a lot on the line as Findlay leaders try to $6 million from the budget.  On Tuesday, city departments met with council and the mayor to get a first look at the preliminary proposal.

Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik said, "it's a significant amount of money that we need to cut out of our budget."

And that means layoffs.  Several city departments were on the list, but police and fire departments will be taking the biggest hit.

"Public safety and courts are 75% of our budget," Mayor Mihalik said. "It's a significant piece of the pie."

As the plan is now, the police force will lost 5 employees.  23 firefighters will also get pink slips and one station will close.

"I wish they wouldn't," Jeffrey Thomas, a Findlay resident said.

He's very concerned about the fire cuts.  In February, he lost everything in a fire at the Argyle Apartments.  He fears fewer fire fighters will cost more buildings and even lives.

"If you cut them out you're going to lose a lot of places here in Findlay because they caught fire," Thomas said.

Overall, most people aren't surprised by the looming cuts.  Still, many are worried about what is ahead.

"I don't think people are going to be happy with them," Howard Elliott, a supporter of the failed tax, said. 

Mayor Mihalik says these decisions are never easy to make, but she's confident the people of Findlay will understand why.

"I think the public does understand," she said.  "We gave them the information to make their decision and they made their decision last Tuesday and we respect that."

This proposal is not set in stone.  But that's why they held the meeting to hopefully get feedback and suggestions.  But there isn't a lot of time.  The city must submit a budget plan to council by December 13.