Mayor Bob Duffy says his 2009-10 budget proposal will reduce the property tax rate, but will also cut or reduce funding for arts and cultural programs and festivals.

Duffy's $452.2 million plan represents a 6 percent decrease from the city's 2008-09 budget. It would close a $35.1 million gap, freeze the tax levy, and decrease the tax rate by 4.7 percent. That means the typical resident would pay $64.51 less in city taxes.

The plan calls for the elimination of 53 full-time positions. It freezes the salaries of senior management, which Duffy says will save $1.3 million. Planned cost-of-living increases would be eliminated for administrative, technical, and professional staff.

The mayor's budget plan also reduces funding for the Puerto Rican Festival, High Falls Film Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra concert series - no amount is specified in materials released to the media.  Funding for Ribbin' on the River is cut entirely.

Police layoffs will be averted through $675,000 in federal funding routed through Congress member Louise Slaughter's office. The city is requesting $1.9 million in federal funding over the next three years to avert layoffs - without that money it could lay off up to 15 officers.

Police overtime will be cut to $3.5 million, a 60 percent reduction compared to the $8.8 million spent in 2007-08. That includes a 23.4 percent cut for special events overtime, compared to the current budget.