Brainerd Could be Staggered By Huge State Aid Cuts

Brainerd is facing the prospect of up to a half million dollars in local government aid cuts, as Minnesota deals with a $426-million revenue shortfall. The cuts will be reflected in December payments from the state. City Administrator Dan Vogt is hopeful the cuts won't be that high. He tells KLKS News, the city passed its 2009 budget last night and they don't have $500 thousand in non-essential spending. He says if the cuts turn out to be that high, there would be a need for restructuring and layoffs that would effect all departments, including police, fire and streets.
Vogt says he has been a city administrator for 30 years, and this is the toughest situation he has ever seen.