Budget mess cuts Sunland Park services

Associated Press

Updated: Jul 27, 2012 11:35 AM

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A spending plan approved by a troubled New Mexico border city keeps the library open but requires employee furlough days.

Most Sunland Park offices, excluding public safety, will be closed an additional day every two weeks. Officials say the savings will pay for reinstated positions.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that the budget approved Thursday nixes funding for the senior center and bus service to nearby El Paso, Texas.

The $4.8 million budget covers the fiscal year that started July 1. That's down from last year's twice-revised budget of $6.6 million.

The city's budget troubles had led to state intervention after a report accused former city officials of using money as personal slush funds . The state suspended the city's finance director and purchasing agent, and took over those functions.

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