By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner said elected leaders are ready to roll up their sleeves to fill a $1.5 million deficit in the city’s general fund.

Aldermen Monday night started the process of looking at ways to cut the budget or raise revenue.

Aldermen David Sage and Karen Schmidt said they’re strongly opposed to raising taxes without cutting spending.

“I certainly hope we’re not going to be talking about raising revenue or taxes unless we have a serious conversation first about some cutting, because we’ve been pretty good at raising taxes and fees,” Schmidt said.

Council member Amelia Buragas suggested the best way to raise revenue is to promote economic growth, while Alderman Scott Black said it’s his top priority to combine and consolidate services.

The council also met behind closed doors to discuss hiring a current city staffer as interim city manager to replace David Hales.

Aldermen have yet to decide whether to hire a consultant to aid in the search for a permanent replacement. City staffers said hiring an outside firm would cost about $30,000. Staffers hope a new city manager will be in place by June of next year.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].