Bloomington city leaders are making sure they're smart about spending.
The city council held a budget work session this evening.

The aldermen are trying to close a 3–million–dollar budget gap, but also pursue new projects. The city leaders talked about revenue, expenses, closing the budget gap and initiatives.

Some of the initiatives included subsidizing new businesses, putting more information on the city website and capitol improvements.
All of the aldermen have new projects they would like to pursue, the tough part is finding ways to reduce the current deficit.
One of the Mayor's ideas is collecting about 60–thousand–dollars worth of ambulance fees owed to the city.

Mayor Steve Stockton said, "We charge a fee for ambulance. Some people don't pay that. We feel some people don't pay this not because they can't but just because they don't want to."

Alderman John Hanson said, "How we want to close the gap with the current budget, you know I've have harped and harped and harped and I think we've got more futuristic things that are gonna cost us money and we're shortsighted not to address those."

Other potential revenue sources are raising the liquor license and garbage fees.

The council will meet again next Monday to narrow its list of ideas.