The budget for 2012 may be finished, but that didn’t stop Manhattan’s City Commission from looking even further ahead at their work session Tuesday night. Director of Finance Bernie Hayen provided the Commission with a presentation detailing budget projections for the next three years, and Commissioners responded with much discussion and many questions. Following Hayen’s presentation, the topic was changed to a slightly more present matter: the possible cuts to social service funding proposed to begin next year.
Many members of the public and officials from agencies came forward to make their opinions known, many to speak out in defense of social services and the many things they do in Manhattan. Crisis Center Executive Director Judy Davis appealed to the Commission, stating that the Crisis Center cannot survive off of donations and federal grant matches alone, and that some local funding is vital.
