(March 24, 2003) -- City Hall sources tell LBReport.com that both of the proposed City Council resolutions concerning the war in Iraq -- one by Councilmembers Lowenthal/Baker/Reyes-Uranga, the other by Vice Mayor Colonna and Councilman Carroll will be removed from consideration at the March 25 Council meeting

Among the reasons cited: avoiding a divisive, acrominious fight at a time when the Council has been warned -- by City Management, the City Auditor, and an independently retained consultant -- that it must take action to reduce spending to halt a ballooning deficit (spending exceeding revenue).

As previously reported by LBReport.com, the City Auditor and a Council retained budget consultant warned on March 18 that Councilmembers must move to reduce City Hall spending...or in a worst case scenario City Hall could face bankruptcy.

The Council is scheduled to discuss -- and could vote to embrace or amend or delay for further discussion -- a complex three year budget strategy presented by city management to reduce and contain the mounting deficit.

That discussion is scheduled for the Council's March 25 meeting...the same date on which the two Iraq resolutions were agendized.