Budget-writers for the city of Springfield, Massachusetts must work to close a $21.5 million dollar gap.
Springfield’s Chief Administration and Finance Officer T.J. Plante said through a combination of finding additional revenue sources, tapping into reserves, and cutting spending the city will come up with a balanced budget in time for the new fiscal year on July 1st.
"We are going to do everything we can to avoid service cuts and layoffs," said Plante.
One possible source of new revenue for the city is the proposed MGM casino. If the Massachusetts Gaming Commission awards a license to MGM by the end of May the city will receive $3 million under the terms of its casino host community agreement.
