With a tightened budget this year blamed on cuts in state local government aid, the Albert Lea City Council’s budget has some cuts lined up for 2004, and that has some local organizations worried.

Included in those cuts are donations the city has made to local organizations and events such as Arc Freeborn County, the Pelican Breeze, the Low Bucks Car Show and the Freeborn County Historical Museum.

Monday night, members of each of those organizations asked for money.

Arc Freeborn County, a group that funds programs for the developmentally disabled, got $3,000 in 2003. This year they are set to get nothing.

Jo Lowe, director of Arc, said the organization provides something for people in the community who don’t get chances to participate in other city programs.

&uot;Please reconsider taking away these funds,&uot; she said.

Albert Lea resident Don Sorenson agreed. His granddaughter is developmentally disabled and, when staying with Sorenson and his wife, has participated in Arc programs.

&uot;It has done wonders for my granddaughter,&uot; he said. He added that these cuts hurt the people who can’t help themselves.

The council must take several more steps before finalizing its budget for next year, and the proposed budget has yet to get much input from them.

Mayor Jean Eaton said all comments would be taken into consideration when making budget decisions.

One budget decision made Monday by the council was to set a preliminary levy at the maximum level the state will allow, which is $2,234,910. According to City Manager Paul Sparks, the council had to set its levy limit by Sept. 15 to be certified by the Freeborn County Auditor. Sparks said the levy can be decreased later if the council decides to change it.

(Contact Peter Cox at peter.cox @albertleatribune.com or 379-3439.)