City officials struggle to trim budget requests

The Havre Fire Department heads had already submitted their budget requests for next year and gone home Monday night when the Havre City Council's Finance Committee had to put out a little fire of its own.

When committee chair Tom Farnham suggested cutting the mayor's annual travel and training allowance for next year from $1,000 to $950, that drew a curt response from the mayor.

Farnham said he was suggesting the cut because Rice had only spent about 70 percent of his travel and training allowance as of May 1. The fiscal year ends on Monday.

"You cut whatever you like, Tom," Rice said, add...