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Lawrence councilors warn of multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, press administration for more time and details
Summary
Council members said they received the administration’s budget materials Sept. 30 and that an estimated $1.3 million to $3 million deficit will require “tough choices,” including a hiring freeze announced by the mayor.
Council members at the Oct. 6, 2025 meeting of the Lawrence Common Council said the administration’s budget materials, delivered Sept. 30, left the council with little time to analyze options for closing an estimated deficit for next year.
Councilman Terrell Giles, District 1, told the chamber the city is facing an estimated shortfall he described as “1.3 to $3,000,000,” and urged residents and colleagues to prepare for tough choices that could affect hiring plans. Giles said the city historically has funded a high share of costs for police and fire and warned the hiring freeze announced during the mayor’s budget presentation may mean fewer new hires than previously planned.
Giles said the mayor’s Sept. budget presentation was held at an event called by the administration rather than a regular council meeting and that the mayor left without taking…
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