ORANGE PARK — As councilmembers worked to set a tentative millage rate on Thursday, Sept. 3, they also made stark decisions on  what the town would cut back on — all in an effort to obtain a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Reducing Carrie Clarke Day, Orange Park After Dark and firefighter overtime were some of the ideas approved during the three-hour regular meeting.

With a proposed operating budget of $42.4 million, the council members were tasked with relieving the town of a more than $600,000 deficit. That meant evaluating expenses and finding ways to reallocate money.

Most cuts came from the town's $15.6 million general fund budget. That included reducing medical insurance costs for town employees by $107,877, eliminating one CE officer by $47,533, and removing the town's park picnic tables and sign grant funds by a total of $66,000.

Carrie Clarke Day will also see some future changes with reduced funding of $2,000. The annual free event held every March features historic demonstrations, tours and live music. And after the return of Orange Park After Dark, an adult summer concert series, the council decided to cut its funding by more than $11,000.

"We have to look at every dollar we are spending and make sure it's spent correctly," said Councilman Randy Anderson.

By the end of the evening, council also approved a tentative 5.95 millage rate, a decrease from the original 6.15. 

The council will meet to vote on the final operating budget and millage rate later this month.