The Budget Scorecard

Development Review: Despite worries from neighborhood and environmental groups (and existing DR staff), the "faster and friendlier" downsizing at One Texas Center has solid council support.

Fire Department: Squads and quints are dead, dead, dead. At least four council members -- and the firefighters' union -- will cut a proposed 2% raise for firefighters instead of implementing the controversial staffing plan.

Social Services: The firefighters' nonraise will also cover half of the proposed 10% cut to city social service contracts. Expect the council to try to find money to restore full funding to the nearly 60 nonprofits involved.

Facilities Shutdown: The 10 planned facilities (mostly parks and libraries) set for a two-year delay in the proposed budget will likely stay that way. But Mayor Will Wynn's initiative to permanently close existing General Fund facilities will have to wait until next year.