He then reported on the Employee Focus Groups (Video Focus Group Discussion) he held in order to get employee input on reductions. About 35 employees participated and 80 sent e-mails with suggestions. Management staff is examining all these suggestions to see which can be implemented and how much they will save. This was done because of criticism of the way employee input was solicited last time.

Last time department heads were asked and they consulted with employees in various ways. Many employees did not feel they had the input they wished to have. Cutting another 9.6 million dollars when 81% of the budget is personnel is not going to be easy. It is also going to mean a lot of unhappy citizens, because of further reductions in services, and probably unhappy staff if there are further reductions in staff.