ST. PETERSBURG -- The public will have several chances to comment on St. Petersburg's proposed 2010 city budget and suggested cuts.

The first public forum is at 6 p.m. July 9 in the council chamber at City Hall, 175 5th St. N. Council members will take public input on the proposed spending plan for next year, which includes an anticipated $15 million to $20 million general fund shortfall and additional budget reductions.

Two other public hearings are scheduled for Sept. 3 and 17, same time and place. The council is expected to adopt the proposed 2010 spending plan and tax rate at the Sept. 3 meeting. The final budget, tax rate and Capital Spending Plan should be approved at the Sept. 17 meeting. All forums will be broadcast live on St. Pete TV channel 35, Knology cable channel 15, Brighthouse cable channel 615 or Verizon FiOs channel 20.

Questions? Visit www.stpete.org/budget or call the City Clerk at (727) 893-7448. View the budget online starting July 1.

Stephanie Hayes, Times staff writer