IN BRIEF: The City of Conyers is bracing for budget cuts in almost every department, in anticipation of a large decrease in revenues over the next year, in order to adopt a balanced budget for the 2013 fiscal year.

Forecasting a revenue decrease of almost $700,000, city officials plan to remedy the shortfall by opting to forego the annual five percent performance increase for employees in addition to "freezing" the 12 positions currently vacant throughout City departments. By doing so, the City anticipates receiving and spending an estimated $12,880,729 between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013.

"This has been one of the hardest years to come to a balanced budget," Conyers Chief Financial Officer Isabel Rogers told the Council Wednesday night.  "It has taken numerous meetings with department heads to come to a balanced budget."

While the Police Department will suffer the largest budget cuts at $133,275 less than was spent over the past year, other departments that will see a significant decrease in funding include Technology, Administration, Planning and Development and Georgia International Horse Park Events.