Norwalk : $1 Million in Spending Cuts OKd; Amphitheater Put Off

The Norwalk City Council on Tuesday approved $1 million in miscellaneous spending cuts and decided to delay construction of a $1.4-million amphitheater at Norwalk Park to contend with recession-related money problems.

The city’s income is expected to be $1.6 million less than originally planned for the fiscal year that ends June 30, said Sanford M. Groves, assistant city manager. Dwindling sales taxes and a sharp decrease in building activity because of the recession account for much for the budget shortfall, Groves said. The city has a $21.1-million general fund budget.

The $1 million in budget cuts include reductions in part-time salaries and reductions in city tree maintenance.

Although there are no plans to lay off any full-time workers, the jobs of some part-time workers may be eliminated in the future, Groves said.

Construction of the amphitheater was supposed to begin in about six months, Groves said. The council will decide later in the year when to begin construction. The amphitheater will be built next to the city’s new sports complex, which is under construction.