Updated: 02/20/2009 9:47 PM KSTP.com | Print Story
By: Becky Nahm

TRACKING YOUR $: St. Paul faces $44M shortfall

Related stories:  St. Paul mayor warns of 'devastating' budget cuts  Pawlenty's budget cuts spending by 2.2 percent

The city of St. Paul is hosting the first of two community meetings on possible solutions to the budget deficit.

St. Paul's budget deficit will fall $44 million short over the next two years.

Last week, city leaders proposed cutting police officers and firefighters and closing a library to save money.

But Mayor Chris Coleman wants to hear proposals from community members as well. He will make his final budget recommendations to the City Council next month.

Tuesday's meeting will be from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the El Rio Vista Recreation Center Neighborhood House at 179 E Robie Street.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 24 at the Como Conservatory Visitor Center. The center is located at 1225 Estabrook Drive. That meeting will also start at 5:30 p.m.