Today city leaders officially start tackling next year's budget. They have just over two months to come up with the 2009 Operating Budget. The budget must be approved by December 15, 2008.

Council members begin their regularly scheduled work session at 3:00pm. They'll have a Budget Work Session once the agenda for tomorrow's regular council meeting is set. Watch KTBS 3 News tonight to see how council members feel about next year's financial issues.

The mayor is encouraging citizens to participate. The public is welcome to the budget session, which is expected to begin around 5:30pm at the council chambers in Government Plaza.

To see Mayor Cedric Glover's Budget Letter, the budget summary, or even all 490 pages of the proposed $455 million budget, click here.