Duncanville starts trimming city budget

by Bethany Berry of Duncanville TODAY

Cutbacks have begun as Duncanville prepares for a $1.1 million shortfall in the 2009-10 fiscal year.

During an April 7 meeting, councilmembers unanimously approved to terminate a contract with CURTCO, Inc. for crack sealing services, saving $59,000 in the upcoming budget.

City Manager Kent Cagle explained the contract was a bid awarded in January and due to the current economic times the city has considered reducing expenditures in various departments.

While the voting members of the council unanimously approved the termination, one other member did not follow suit.

District 3 Councilman Paul Ford, who was escorted out of the meeting due to disagreements in issues and unable to vote, was opposed to the termination of the contract and believes reductions should be made in other areas.

“We should not postpone necessary street repairs,” Ford said on his website. “The result will be increased hazards for motorists and increased expenses later on.”