GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Calling it one of his toughest budgets ever, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt rolled out his 2016 plan to the city council Tuesday night.
The proposal includes new spending on police technology, including 144 body cameras and new smart phones for officers. Overall spending, however, drops slightly.
Schmitt’s budget holds the line on taxes, but also eliminates 4 firefighter positions for a nearly $400,000 savings.
“We have to find some way to reduce our expenses,” Schmitt said, according to FOX 11. “No matter how you slice it that department is high and it’s nothing political. I like those guys. They work hard.”
“I think it’s definitely the wrong way to go,” City council president Tom De Wane said, according to FOX 11. “The council already approved having these men and women in the force and I think there will a big debate about it.”
A committee will meet on the budget on November 3rd. The full council is scheduled to meet to adopt the budget on November 10th.
