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TOLEDO, OHIO -- Toledo Mayor Mike Bell's adminstration released a balanced budget for the city of Toledo Monday.

The 2011 propsed operating budget includes no new general fund taxes or fees but lots of moving money around. The Bell Administration would like to move $6.3 million from the capital improvement fund and $3.3 million from trust fund balances to the general fund.

The mayor is also counting on the sale of $4.85 million in city assests he says are already in the works. In March, Bell pledged to sell $5 million in property owned by the city; however, only $1.4 million has been sold to date.  

The new budget supports new police and fire classes anticipating retirements in both of those departments in the upcoming year.

One notable proposal is changing the operation of the city's refuse program to be taken over by Lucas County. This, after the city just invested in automated collection equipment and new garbage and recycling bins.

"If this deal can be struck county-wide and we can sell our equipment, retain the garbage containers and the recycling containers because they can be used still with that equipment then I think it could be a win-win for everyone," said Toledo City Councilman and future Lucas County Commissioner George Sarantou.

Mayor Bell also plans to offer early retirement to city employees and look at cost reductions in heathcare. He will also return to the bargaining table with unions. Two Toledo unions, Firefighters Local 92 and the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association, agreed to concessions in 2010 that deferred overtime payments. Those payments will become due in 2011, costing the city over $4 million.

The new budget marks Mayor Bell's second go-round and a reworked spending plan.  After taking office in January, Bell proposed a budget that was revised from outgoing Mayor Carty Finkbeiner's initial plan.  Bell's 2010 budget cut $48 in revenue from city funds.

Mayor Mike Bell's Proposed 2011 Operating Budget and his letter to Toledo City Council: BellBudget2011