Facing shortfall, Gulf Shores mayor urges thrift - al.com

Facing shortfall, Gulf Shores mayor urges thrift - al.com: "GULF SHORES — On pace for an end-of-year $700,000 deficit and facing a certain decline in income with the end of the tourism season, Mayor Robert Craft on Monday called for city department heads to look for ways to cut spending and delay expensive projects.

When outlining their 2009 spending plan late last year, city officials projected that revenues would fall from 2008 collections by about $2.6 million to $23.5 million. Even with those lowered expectations and decreased spending — including layoffs — revenue of $23.5 million would put Gulf Shores in a $700,000 deficit.

Councilman Jason Dyken, who chairs the council's Finance Committee, said 'we're within one-tenth of 1 percent in terms of our projections,' which means Gulf Shores is on target for the forecast deficit. Said Dyken: 'We have a problem to overcome.'"