The economy continues to struggle, both locally and nationally, and city governments are still looking for ways to provide necessary services on a reduced budget.

The City of Marysville has released its preliminary 2010 spending plan, which calls for a 1.3 percent decrease from 2009 levels in general fund expenditures. The total city budget for 2010 comes in at $113.8 million, which is down 19.2 percent from the original 2009 budget.

In his budget message, Marysville Mayor Dennis Kendall noted that the 2010 plan represents "one of the most difficult budgets thus far as your mayor."

"The recession has caused local governments such as Marysville to bend under the weight of housing foreclosures brought on by the subprime mortgage debacle, declining property values, high unemployment and flat consumer spending," Kendall wrote.

To help keep spending in check for the coming year, the city will delay capital fleet vehicle purchases, and city leaders have postponed any plans for a centralized Civic Campus for municipal offices.

The mayor foresees a need to dip into the city's reserve funds, which will require a supermajority vote of the Council. The city strives to maintain a 10 percent reserve against expenditures, but in 2009 that amount was reduced to 8 percent, and Kendall fears the reserves will be tapped to a greater extent in 2010.

Another area of concern is the street fund, which has been nearly depleted due to decreases in the fuel tax, declining sales tax revenue and past voter-approved initiatives.

"The number one priority for Marysville citizens has been to improve streets and traffic congestion," the mayor noted. "I will be encouraging the council to take a look at all available funding sources to replenish this fund."

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