Over the past couple of years, the budgets for the city of Bowling Green have shrunk.

The upcoming 2009-2010 edition will be no different, coming in at little more than $90 million, a 3.7% reduction from last year.

"We are seeing revenues down and we are making cuts. Fortunately, it looks like we are going to be able to survive this at least if we're going to be able to see an upswing in the near future," says Mayor Elaine Walker.

Walker says the main cuts will be in the city's operating expenses.

Right now, the plan is to not fund any new positions that have been vacated through someone leaving or retiring.

In an effort to cut down on money, the city won't sign off on any new projects.

"We will not be engaging in any capital improvements other than the things we already have lined up... the Old Morgantown Road and the Greenwood Lane," says Walker.

Contract agencies will still be funded but at 3% less than usual.

However, competitive agencies, such as non-profits, who collectively received $250,000, won't end up so lucky.

"We will not be able to fund the "competitive" agencies this time," says Walker.

The city will hold out $1 million dollars in its reserve fund "earmarked" for the Kentucky Tri-Modal Transpark.

If House Bill 229 doesn't pass in the legislative "Special Session" or the regular session...

"I think the chances that the city and the county at some point in time will have to infuse cash into the Transpark to pay the bonds
back is much higher," says Jim Hizer, president of the Inter-Modal Transportation Authority.

Walker says she doesn't expect the tighter budget to have a large "day-to-day" effect on Bowling Green residents.

"If someone comes up to me next year, I don't think they'll be able to see any difference in the services that the city's providing this year in 2010," notes Walker.

Walker says the city will not use its Federal Stimulus money to supplement the budget.

Rather, the money will go to creating new jobs and programs for the city.