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GREENSBORO - The City Council passed several budget-conscious measures Tuesday night during a lengthy debate about city finances.

Council members voted to not fund an assistant city manager position, and decided they would wait to sell the bonds on the November ballot until the economy improves.

And after discussing several cost-cutting ideas floated by Councilman Mike Barber, the City Council asked City Manager Mitchell Johnson to provide them with a report describing what he is doing to meet the budget, given the projected revenue shortfalls for this fiscal year.

The discussion, which went into Wednesday morning, was sparked by Barber, who has been unhappy with the way the manager has handled financial issues in recent weeks.

Tuesday night, Barber offered a number of ways to cut city finances to deal with the projected shortfalls.

Council members agreed with his recommendation to take away funding for an assistant city manager's position. The role is vacant, but Johnson was in the process of hiring someone to fill the position.

Council members voted 7 to 2 in favor of the recommendation, with Councilwomen Goldie Wells and T. Dianne Bellamy-Small voting no.

Now the position will stay vacant until the end of the fiscal year, next June.

Mayor Yvonne Johnson and Barber also asked council members to agree to delay selling city bonds on the fall ballot, if they are approved by voters.

Council members agreed, voting 7 to 2 in favor of the recommendation. Councilwomen Wells and Bellamy-Small voted no.

Greensboro voters will be asked to approve $205 million worth of bond projects for a War Memorial auditorium renovation, transportation projects, housing initiatives and parks and recreation projects.

"We will be responsible enough not to do anything with the bonds until the economy is right," Mayor Johnson said.

Barber was asking council members to wait until the end of 2009, although the recommendation council approved did not have a timeline.

Councilman Robbie Perkins said he could not support the timeline, because he said the council should trust the financial experts in the city to choose the best time to sell the bonds.

Barber also wanted council members to direct the city to hire no consultants, start no new studies, and have no retreats or non-essential training until next fiscal year.

Barber ultimately withdrew that motion, in favor of the mayor's recommendation to have the manager get back to council with a report on the measures he is taking to keep costs in line.

That issue will be taken up at the next City Council meeting, on Nov. 18.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com.