Exactly. When tax increases get voted down they look to downsize or cut programs that are popular to entice voters to pass it the next time. Its politics and occurs everywhere. Schools cant get taxes passed for more money, go out and redistrict schools in the high priced neighborhoods. Not saying this is always the case but in the last 2 weeks this is what our local school board and council have been spinning.
Hard to believe that there aren't other areas in the budget they can't cut to find this shortfall. Lets be honest though, everyone on that council knows they aren't going to cut the xmas lights, they are just stirring the pot so they can say had no choice when they push that millage increase on everyone.