Some city police and firefighting positions that were cut due to budget restraints over the last two years could be restored in the budget presented by City Manager Jim Couch to the city council May 10.

Council members received the $919 million proposed budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. The general fund portion was proposed at $364 million. That number is a 6-percent increase over the FY 2010-2011 budget. With the increased funds, the city could fill 22 police positions and 29 firefighting positions that were previously cut due to lack of funds. Sales tax accounts for the lion’s share of the revenue for the city.

Budget presentations are planned for the May 24 and June 7 council meetings. The budget is scheduled for adoption June 14.

“The FY 2012 budget reduces our reliance on one-time revenues and restores many of the services we had to reduce as a result of the recession,” Couch said in a statement.  “While growth in sales tax revenue in fiscal year 2011 is better than expected, it is still only about 3 percent above 2009.”