You can balance Bend’s budget, online

You can now go online and try your hand at balancing the city of Bend’s budget with the new Bend Budget Balancer website at www.bendbudget.com.

“It’s interactive, educational and we think it’s even a little fun,” said a city news release Tuesday, which continues:

The Budget Balancer allows users to allocate money in the city’s proposed 2013-2014 General Fund.

General Fund revenues total about $36 million and the City Council has the most discretion on how those revenues are spent on programs and services.

Most of the General Fund goes to the police and fire departments, but money is also allocated to a number of other programs and departments.

We’ve provided a wide range of options in the Budget Balancer — spending cuts, program needs and revenue enhancements — that cover most areas of the General Fund. It’s not easy, but it can be done.

There are other ways to participate in the budget process. The Budget Committee deliberates on the proposed budget May 7, 8 and 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Public comments will be accepted, usually towards the beginning of each meeting. These meetings are held at the North Fire Station Training Center, 63377 Jamison St. in Bend.

The City Council will approve the final 2013-2015 Biennial Budget at a meeting held in June.