When City Manager Mary Suhm released her proposed $1.93 billion budget earlier this month, the cuts were deep but unfortunately familiar.

Our parks, our libraries – and one we don't seem to be hearing enough about – our arts programs, are all on the chopping block this year. Again.

Each of these groups took large cuts when the city pared down last year, too.

So the question many are asking is, "how much more can they take?"

There have been numerous reports and opinions, and the posturing from various sectors in the city is heating up.

The City Council is set to approve the budget in late September. Between then and now, what can you do about it?

You can start by heading over to the Lake Highlands Freshman Center tonight for the Budget Town Hall Meeting.

Some would argue the town hall meetings will elicit very little change. As constituents, there's not much we can do to affect the game at this point.

But Councilmembers Ron Natinsky and Angela Hunt have all been quoted recently as saying they're still listening.

District 10 Councilman Jerry Allen is encouraging Lake Highlands to show up and let him know what we're thinking.

"I'll be watching and listening to what the people have to say," he told me when we visited last weekend.

"If there's anything I know at this point, it's that I want to be sure Lake Highlands gets its fair share."

The devil's in the details, of course. In this case, our fair share assuredly means cuts. It could also mean flirting with the idea of an increase in our tax rate.

So, what's it worth to you?

Joan Walne, vice chairperson for the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, has been fighting the uphill budget battle on behalf of the Parks Department for the better part of two years.

Walne visited with me last month in reference to the cuts our local rec centers are facing.

"In the last two years, our park funding has been cut by $13 million," says Walne. "It's going to be felt by everyone in our community, everyone in the city."

While she's worked hard to help ensure we'll be able to maintain services and hours here at the LH North Rec Center following its renovation, things like the Park Department's mowing schedules and general park clean-up are where we'll most likely feel cuts the most.

Library budgets? They're down $10 million in the same two-year period. And the arts? Forget about it.

I sit on the board of a mid-level arts organization (in terms of its budget, anyway.) In terms of its performances, outreach and impact, it's top-tier all the way.

Shakespeare Dallas is just one of the many arts organizations that will be struggling to make up for the drop in OCA (the city's Office of Cultural Affairs) funding.

It's important to keep in mind that most arts groups took a greater than 30% cut in city funding last year, similar to the cuts experienced by our parks.

When you add that to the additional cuts being proposed this year, some estimated to be between 50% - 100%, the math becomes gruesome.

Make no mistake, there will be arts and cultural institutions we love that may be forced to close their doors altogether.

So, once again, I'm asking – what's it worth to you? A penny or two in taxes, perhaps?

Show up tonight to let our community, and our city leaders, know your thoughts.

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Town Hall Budget Meeting
Tuesday, August 17th at 7:00 p.m.
Lake Highlands Freshman Center
City of Dallas Chief Financial Officer, Jeanne Chipperfield, presenting
Hosted by District 10 Councilmember Jerry Allen

Lead photo courtesy of District 14 Councilmember Angela Hunt

UPDATE: If you missed Tuesday night's meeting, District 9 Councilmember Sheffie Kadane will be hosting a similar meeting this Thursday, August 19th at 6:30 p.m. The meeting location is Winfrey Point at 950 E. Lawther, White Rock Lake.