HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council will take a hard look at the budget during a study session scheduled for Tuesday.

The city is looking to cut another 5 percent from the 2019 numbers with some of that coming from personnel cuts. Personnel costs make up 68 percent of the general fund, which includes wages and benefits. Insurance and KPERS costs are also increasing again this year. With all that is currently on the budget, the city would need reserves of less than $900,000. The city should have about two-months worth of reserves in case of an emergency, such as a natural disaster. That two months is about $4.2 million.

Some major cuts are in the works, including the elimination of seven positions, involving six employees. The two major positions eliminated are the Assistant City Manager Position, currently held by Myrl Dye, and the Downtown development position, currently held by Jim Seitnater. It also includes two positions in Public Works, one from the Parks Department, and one each from the Street and Planning departments. Under the proposal, the Assistant City Manager job would be eliminated and replaced with a new lower-level administrative position.

The council will also look at other funding such as the United Way, the Cultural Activities Fund, the Arts Design Council for the city’s Sculpture Walk program and the Arts and Humanities Council. The four agencies alone account for more than $111,000 in funds.

Other cuts will have to come from deferred maintenance and equipment purchases.

The budget meeting of the Hutchinson City Council begins at 8 a.m. in the city offices.