WENGNews writes, "PUNTA GORDA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON TUESDAY BEGAN DISCUSSING WAYS TO CUT NEARLY TWO MILLION DOLLARS FROM THEIR BUDGET IN ORDER TO MAKE UP THE SHORT FALL CAUSED BY TAX REFORMS. ONE THING THAT WAS MADE CLEAR IN THE MEETING WAS THAT MOST OF THE CITY’S NEARLY 300 WORKERS WON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT JOB SECURITY. AT WORSE, SOME MAY BE MOVED AROUND TO NEW JOBS, AND SOME POSITIONS, SUCH AS ASSISTANT POLICE AND FIRE CHIEF, WILL BE ELIMINATED BY RETIREMENT AND TRANSFER. DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF BUTCH ARENAL HAS SAID HE WILL APPLY FOR THE SOON TO BE VACANT CHIEF POSITION, AND ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF MATT FREE IS EXPECTED TO TAKE AN EARLY RETIREMENT AFTER 23 YEARS. THE CITY IS ALSO CONSIDERING WAYS TO MAKE UP THE BUDGET SHORT FALL, INCLUDING CHARGING BOATERS TO PARK THEIR BOATS AT CITY BOAT RAMPS AND RAISING THE BUSINESS TAX. SOME CUTBACKS EXPECTED WILL INCLUDE HOLIDAY DECORATIONS, JANITORIAL SERVICES AND MANGROVE TRIMMING. "
