RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - In a city of more than 200,000 people, Richmond taxpayers are likely to feel the impact of cuts or increases in any department.
And while every city department had to reduce its operating budget by one percent, it won't have much effect on taxpayers' bottom line.
Cynthia Newbille, 7th District city council member, said the cuts will impact various departments in different ways.
"Some will reduce the amount of equipment that's purchased. Some won't fill vacancies immediately that may be needed,” said Newbille.
However, taxpayers will feel the pinch in other ways.
According to Department of Public Utilities spokesperson Angela Fountain, taxpayers the will pay $1.58 for waste water to upgrade and maintenance the city’s treatment plants.
Additionally, taxpayers will foot an extra $1.12 for water for upgrades and maintenance for the city’s water system -- and there's another $1.31 for gas to pay for the city’s caste iron pipe renewal throughout the city.
"The citizens can't afford those high prices on everything that you're doing,” said an unidentified city taxpayer. "There's enough fluff in this budget."
Bruce Tyler, 1st District city council member, agrees and thinks the city administration could have saved taxpayers even more money based on the City Auditor's reports outlining waste in city government.
"We've lost millions of dollars since then and I have seen very little change to services provided to citizens,” said Bruce Tyler.
Additionally, sanitation workers will now work a four-day, 10 hour-shift work week.
CBS 6 News talked to the Richmond Police Department to see how the city budget will impact that agency, but spokesperson Gene Lepley said cannot say at this time. However officials did say public safety would not be affected by the cuts.
