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Hartford Council Cuts Budget, Saves Jobs

It was around 10:30 last night when the mayor, city council members and department heads came out of their meeting pleased with what they were able to accomplis...

It was around 10:30 last night when the mayor, city council members and department heads came out of their meeting pleased with what they were able to accomplish – it certainly could have been much different.

Last month, Mayor Pedro Segarra proposed a 557-point, $4 million budget that would increase the tax rate, eliminate jobs and sell city parking assets to the pension fund. Last night, city council members and the mayor came together and agreed on a budget that is $6.4 million less, but it wouldn’t cut jobs or cost taxpayers.

Instead, it forces some cuts within some departments and offices like police, fire and the mayor’s office. For example, the police department was planning on adding 30 recruits from an incoming class, but now it will only be adding 20.

Mayor Segarra said this was one of the most difficult budgets he and other lawmakers have been involved with. They have until the end of the month to formally adopt the budget.

Read more about the budget at courant.com.

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