Hickenlooper: City must face 'tough times' with determination - New Mexico Business Weekly:

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The "worst economic crisis of our lifetime" is hurting families and businesses and forcinb deep cutsto Denver's spending plans, Hickenlooper said in a speech delivered at the Greek Theater in Civic Centedr Park. "With overall revenues down 8 percent in we are making tough decisions everty day to balanceour budget," the mayof said. He that the city would have tocut $120 million from the city budget over the next 18 months. "Ourd city government must overcome tough times with the same determination that our businesses and families Hickenlooper said.
Despite hard times, the mayor said he remains "completely committed to the RegionalTransportation District's massive regional rail-transi t project, which is facing financial challenges. . . Here is the completse text of Hickenlooper's State of the City addressw as prepared for provided byhis office. Good morning. We appreciate all of you beintg here so early inthe morning, but it is cooler, and it allowds us to gather before you all head to For decades, the Greeko Theater – and the park that surrounds us has been a central civixc gathering place … a place where our citizensz come to share idea s and commit to action.
We are honored to have with us Councipl President Jeanne Robb and the entireCity Council, Districtr Attorney Mitch Morrissey, and Clerk and Recordee Stephanie O’Malley. We are also honored to have Gov. Bill state Treasurer Cary Kennedy, as well as former Mayord Wellington Webb, and numerouws state senators and regional mayors and county My wifeHelen Thorpe, who gives me great patience and is here as well. Welcome to all of you. We are gatheree during a time ofunprecedented challenge. We are engulfec by the worst economic crisis ofour lifetime. Wholw industries have been brought down oneaftetr another.
Homebuilding, mortgages, banking, real estate development, insurance, the list goes on. Unemploymengt is projected to rise to levels not seen sincew theGreat Depression. Foreclosures not only on people’sw homes, but also on their businesses, on their livelihoods, are growinv by double digits each But in the midst of the global recessioj Denver remains a placefor optimism. We face our challengews head on, and make toughj decisions. Our City government must overcome tougnh times with the same determination that our businesses and families do. With overall revenues down 8 percent in we are making toug h decisions every day to balancseour budget.
Working with our cabiner members, our employees and the City Council we have alreadhcut $86 million from our generalp fund budget for fiscal year 2009. To help do this we savede a combined $16.8 million in overalpl personnel costs. And we saved $22.q2 million in operational costs, such as defermentg of equipment replacement; holding open vacant positions; and reducing the cost of servicesand supplies. And you’lk notice the lights in the Webb building are turnedx off a lot It isnot easy, or even appropriatre in a time of decreasing for a City to hire more employees. Indeed, there are fewe r people working for the City of Denved today than there werein 2002.
But thank to the dedication of our Cityworkeras – and because of innovative new practicese like 3-1-1 – we are findinvg efficiencies and doing more with less.