Spending cut in Lindenhurst budget:

Lindenhurst officials this week approved a 2014-15 budget that cut operating spending by 4.2 percent. Total expenses for all funds were about $11.2 million. The reduction is a continuation of efforts that began in 2008-09, officials said. Spending for operations has been reduced by about $1.8 million or 22.5 percent since then, according to a village news release. The savings are a result of new philosophies and approaches that again have produced a balanced budget, Mayor Susan Lahr said. Budget information shows the number of full and part-time employees has dropped from 55.5 to 40.5 during the past six years. Improvements scheduled for 2014-15 include: resurfacing five streets; design for the reconstruction of Beck Road from Grass Lake Road to Sand Lake Road; improvements in preparation for Lake Michigan water; and an ash tree removal and replacement program.