HARTFORD -- "The number is very real," said Hartford's Mayor, Luke Bronin to an audience at Bulkeley High School Wednesday night.
Bronin and the rest of the Common Council presented the dire financial situation Hartford was facing. A projected deficit of $48.5 million is looming for the next fiscal year as city leaders try to figure out a way to make it through without raising taxes.
"This problem didn't happen overnight," said Bronin. "We have to face it. We have to do our very best to fix the problem in a sustainable way."
The mayor's proposed budget makes deep cuts across the board to all city services and departments. About 100 positions are slated for elimination, with 42 of them being layoffs. City subsidies for parades and festivals would be halted and the city's cash reserves, or "rainy day fund," of $21 million would be completely tapped out.
City leaders are also hoping to continue negotiations with labor unions in order to receive more relief in the form of health and pension concessions.
Some residents offered suggestions and sympathy while others we a little skeptical of city leaders' intentions. Neighbors appeared most concerned about the effect on the school district's budget and public safety.
"Our [Community Service Officers] are our lifeline in the community and if we don't have them a lot of crime is going to go unsolved," said Hyacinth Yennie, a resident of Hartford.
The city is trying to adopt a finalized budget by the end of May.