Atwater may declare fiscal emergency at special meeting

ATWATER -- Atwater officials will consider declaring a fiscal emergency during a special meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the City Council Chambers at 750 Bellevue Road.

The city has been fighting a projected $3.7 million general fund deficit and city leaders have conceded that drastic cuts may be on the way, including layoffs, pay cuts and closing a fire station.

Declaring a fiscal emergency is a necessary step toward declaring bankruptcy, but council members have said they don't think they'll end up taking that route.

-- Mike North