Common council is giving all city departments a year's notice they should be looking at one of two scenarios: budgets frozen at a 2014 level, or only a 2% increase.
City Manager Pat Woods explains it's a review of both internal and external operations, and it's going to be a strenuous but much-needed process.
Mayor Mel Norton says he's seen in the past what kind of damage hasty cuts can do--which is why they're starting this now.
Wooods says of course reality is going to get in the way in some cases, but the city has a limited capacity and all the agencies have to work to make services sustainable.