SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The South Hutchinson City Council has asked department heads to find more than $360,000 in cuts during a special meeting last night.

On a split vote, the Council approved what will likely amount to the elimination of several staff which could include police and fire staff.

Budget constraints are putting a pinch on the small community’s numbers for next year with the the Council wanting to improve what has become a very small ending balance. It is similar to what the Hutchinson City Council faced in their budget process, although on a smaller scale.

The city budget was passed Aug. 6 calling for $6,237,530 million dollars in expenditures on total taxes levied of $1,045,116. With those numbers, the mill levy would jump from 41.92 to 43.84 mills.

Cuts could come to programs that are apart of the city.