Warrenton city officials are considering slashing $222,126 from the 2009-2010 budget to offset decreasing revenues. Officials are predicting a $256,436 decrease in projected revenues, most of which is related to a decline in sales tax. The budget was reviewed by the board during a Ways and Means work session held prior to the regularly scheduled board meeting Tuesday night. Aldermen could pass the budget cuts at the next board meeting on Feb. 2. Director of Operations/Finance Officer Terri Thorn stated the city is facing a 4 percent decrease in projected sales tax income of $2.46 million. That shortfall is on top of a 4 percent drop the city encountered during the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Thorn informed the mayor and board of aldermen the city is facing an approximate $98,000 loss since the current budget went into effect July 1, 2009. Thorn said she didn't see any relief in sight. "If we continue to decline, it's possible by the end of this fiscal year we could be at or near that 8 percent," Thorn said, noting the possibility of another 4 percent decrease over the next six months. No major projects would be eliminated and job losses kept to a minimum, according to the proposed budget amendments. The city's revised budget estimates $4,604,068 in operating expenses compared to the original figure of $4,787,003. Total operating revenues, originally budgeted at $5,060,711, is now projected to be $4,670,909. Thorn said expenses were trimmed by reviewing each department's budget and finding expenditures that could be removed or postponed until the next fiscal year. Also, she said line items that were overbudgeted - areas such as fuel and utility costs - also were reduced to reflect more accurate revenue figures. Thorn complimented the department heads for their diligence in reducing unnecessary expenses. "They truly went through (the budget) and if there was a place they thought they could carve it out, they did," she said. "They really took a serious look at where they could." Anticipated revenues for the general and capital sales tax funds decreased $389,802 and $12,500, respectively. The water/sewer fund income went up $145,866 mainly due to a transfer of grant money. Expenses also were cut by $349,227 in the general fund and $13,463 in the capital sales tax fund. Officials have proposed a $140,564 increase in the water/sewer fund, the majority of which is tied to paying off the SCADA system. City officials commented that prioritizing future projects would be necessary looking forward to the next fiscal year. "I think we have to be real conscious and do some serious thinking when it comes to projects on what we want to do, what we can do and what we can afford," Alderman Fred Flake said.