24/7 police coverage may have to be discontinued. Libraries may have to stop buying books or close their doors early. And the city beach may have to do without lifeguards.
These are all alternatives the City of Glenwood is considering in light of the governor’s unallotment of LGA, according to the Pope County Tribune. Glenwood stands to lose $87,000 in 2009 and $97,000 in 2010 under the governor’s original proposal, on top of the $70,000 cut the governor unalloted in December—and for a city of just under 3,000 people, losing this amount of LGA means a lot. To prepare for these cuts, the city has already reduced overtime hours, will likely require pay freezes and reduced working hours for 2010 and 2011, and is considering moving to a four-day work week. These cost-saving measures will not be enough to recover from the LGA cuts, though, and Glenwood will likely still have to reduce services that residents depend on.
LGA is what keeps communities across the state safe, affordable, and viable places to live and do business. If you value strong communities statewide, contact the governor today and tell him to minimize his cuts to LGA.