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Fort Madison Faces Large Budget Shortfall

Fort Madison, IA – The Fort Madison City Council may have to lay off workers to balance the city's budget for next year. City Manager Bill Kelly says Fort Madison is facing a $650,000 deficit in its general fund, which includes the police and fire departments. Kelly is recommending eliminating the jobs of 3 fire fighters, 3 police officers, and the parks and recreation director to cover the shortfall. He says the city's budget cannot be balanced by reducing line items used for day to day operations. Kelly says the city should also reduce 3 police dispatchers from full time to part time status, and hire 3 more part time dispatchers. He says over the last few years, the budget has been cut as much as possible and the reserves have been tapped.