Just a few weeks ago, the City’s Chief Operating Officer, Jay Goldstone, told the Budget and Finance Committee that revenues were significantly less than projected and that the City must take corrective action immediately to close a $43 million deficit. We need to reduce our expenses quickly to prevent a bad situation from getting worse. San Diego is one of a legion of municipalities across the nation and around the world facing daunting fiscal shortfalls. Economists across the board agree that the economy is not going to recover quickly from its current malaise. In our case, less than projected property, tourist and sales tax revenues constitute the majority of the shortfall. Though our projected $43 million budget deficit pales in comparison to the California and national deficits, $11 billion and $455 billion, respectively, our situation is serious enough that we’re all going to feel the pain as we close the gap between revenue and expenditures. Individual city employees and their families will be affected, since jobs will have to be eliminated, and residents will lose access to programs and services citywide. The mayor’s office proposes to reduce the Fiscal Year 2009 budget by 10 percent with a plan that eliminates 217 jobs (102 of those are currently vacant), closes seven libraries (including University City Library), reduces city parks’ staff hours and maintenance, and reduces the number of new hires at police and fire departments. Various City programs that are not self-funded would also be eliminated or cut back. Not surprisingly, the idea of closing libraries and curtailing city-sponsored recreation programs is unpopular. At a special Budget and Finance Committee meeting, residents from across the city conveyed their concerns to the council. They spoke movingly about how these measures would affect their lives. My office has received calls and e-mails from more than 800 constituents protesting the proposed cuts. I didn’t run for office to close libraries, or cut services, but I did know, when I took this job, that I would have to make tough decisions. If we don’t act quickly and decisively, the deficit will mushroom and the choices before us will only be worse, and we won’t be one step closer to solving the problem. The Independent Budget Analyst has raised questions about the mayor’s plan and outlined some possible options; we’re analyzing the data to ensure our choices are well-informed. For example, if we do need to close libraries for a period of time, we want to define the time frame and make sure we’ve first explored other options, such as reducing hours at all libraries to avoid closing any. Thank you to everyone who has contacted my office with ideas and concerns. We’re all in this together. Here at City Hall, the council, mayor and Independent Budget Analyst are working hard to find the least painful, most effective solution we can to this challenge. Thank you for your support.   — District 1 City Councilman and Council President Scott Peters contributes a monthly Council Corner column highlighting City Hall happenings pertinent to the communities of La Jolla and University City.