Cumming's preliminary budget for 2009 shows city departments scaling back on spending but does not propose any job cuts.

"We've got some serious reductions as far as capital expenditures, but we're trying to maintain our work force, except where people leave," said City Administrator Gerald Blackburn.

Cumming's mayor and council will discuss the $9 million budget and field public comments at a public hearing Tuesday. A vote on the plan could follow.

On the flip side of not cutting staff, the city's hiring freeze, which dates back to June, remains in effect.

The city's budget and public hearing will not address the municipal water department, which is considered an enterprise fund, or entity, that is self-sufficient and doesn't cross into the city's budget.

In total, the city's proposed expenditures and revenues for 2009 total nearly $9.29 million, down from $9.98 million in 2008.

Just seven of the city's departments generate revenue: administrative; police; planning and zoning; parks and recreation; garbage; fairgrounds; and the Cumming Playhouse.

All of their preliminary revenues are projected to decrease or hold steady, except for the police department, which could increase from $422,500 to $475,000.

Police Chief Mike Eason said the difference is likely a combination of previous under-projection in 2008's budget and an increase in the number of fines issued.

"We're expecting them to continue to increase like they have over the past six months," Eason said. "Unfortunately, with the economic times, people just get involved in more activities that involve law enforcement."

The force's expenses in 2009 are projected to drop less than $5,000, largely because the department is holding off on filling two police vacancies.

"We're going to do the best we can to provide a strong police presence," he said. "We're not going to be short."

Spending has stayed the same or fallen in all departments except garbage services, which will likely increase about $8,000.

The city's contingency fund could also increase from $1 million to about $1.24 million, according to the budget proposal.

Possibly the biggest hit could come in the city's planned capital improvements, which would drop from about $1.48 million to below $720,000.

By the end of the month, however, the city is expected to receive $2.5 million from the county toward infrastructure improvements, through an intergovernmental agreement.