Warren's auditor is preparing to release the 2010 budget to city council, which is expected to contain a shortfall of approximately $700,000.

Originally, the deficit was projected to be $2.5 million, but was eased by lower-than-expected gasoline, natural gas and electricity costs.

Auditor David Griffing also attributed some of the savings to concessions from the city's public employees.

"We got about a million dollars in concessions for all the unions this year for half a year, so if we're not looking for quite that much for next year it shouldn't be as bad or as deep of concessions for them," Griffing said.

Representatives from the police and fire unions plan to meet with the city at the end of the year.