Now to some tough times in Elk hart.
Mayor Dick Moore says a decision by the City Council ... is forcing him to make some drastic cuts.
The council voted down a trash fee so now the mayor says he's forced to come up with $10.5 million in cuts to make up for lost revenue.
That means seven current vacant jobs will not be filled.
Funds to the Economic Development Corporation will be reduced.
Employees will also be forced to take furlough days.
Three furlough days for police and fire, and five for everyone else in city government.
"We'll do the very best that we can with it," said Mayor Dick Moore. "We've always been pretty good about taking the plate that's been handed to us... but this is a terrible blow."
While the mayor says he's frustrated...
Councilman David Hence defends the council's decision to vote NO on the trash fee.
Saying many citizens in Elk hart are at poverty level... and simply can't afford the proposed 11-plus dollars a month.
"As a matter of principal the mayor cannot ask for more money without diligently looking at his own budget and how he can reduce operating costs going forward," said Elk hart Councilman David Hence.
Mayor Moore says he will try to get a 5th council member to go along with a trash fee...
If he does... he'll re-introduce it at the start of 2013.
