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HAMILTON — City council will receive an analysis of the city's general fund at a special meeting tonight, May 21, that may lead to job cuts or the elimination of services.

The general fund pays for police, fire, parks and health departments, plus part of the planning and public works. The 2008 budget was adopted with a $600,000 projected shortfall.

The city commissioned the report, from the Tennessee-based Decosimo accounting firm in January. It is supposed to analyze expenses, revenues and provide projections for several years in the future to help the city balance its budget.

"They're probably going to give us general recommendations and we will come up with the specifics," said City Manager Mark Brandenburger.

Brandenburger, who said Tuesday he has not seen a copy of the report, expects that the company will provide information such as the number of jobs it would need to cut to make up the budget shortfall or the percentage by which it could cut salaries. He said it might also recommend non-essential services that could be cut.

Mayor Don Ryan said he was "anxiously awaiting" the report, which he said was necessary to help guide the city through the next five years.

Others have not been so anxiously awaiting. Police Chief Neil R. Ferdelman, like most department heads, expects that the city will have to tighten its belts.

"It doesn't take a Houdini to see what's coming," he said.

Brandenburger doesn't expect any action on the report until council's June meeting. Tonight's meeting is just an information session, he said.

"This needs to sink in for awhile," Brandenburger said. "Everybody needs to give it some very serious thought."

The presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers at the Hamilton Municipal Building, 345 High St.

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