Also on the May 7 list are cutbacks to maintenance programs in city parks—including the closure of public restrooms for several days out of each week—increases in fees for home sewer, trash, and water service, a fee for 911 service and the elimination of nearly 300 city jobs.

City councilwomen Linda LeZotte and Judy Chirco voiced dismay during last week's council meeting at the thought of closing any of the homework centers, which serve a combined 25,000 children a day. Each center's staff helps youth with homework, provides snacks and teaches activities such as computer skills, after-school cooking, hip-hop-style dancing and robotics. Each center costs roughly $10,000 a year to maintain.

Although budget talks are still in the preliminary stages, the cuts could have an impact in Willow Glen where the San Jose LEARNS—Literary Education Arts Recreation Nurtures Students—program is offered at Willow Glen Middle School. The program's homework component was developed to help middle school students raise their test scores.

Other services slated for cutbacks include neighborhood park bathrooms like those at Bramhall and River Glen, which may be closed Mondays through Thursdays, and regional park restrooms may shut their doors one to three days a week.

Parks Manager Brian Hartsell described the cuts as an attempt to "keep our doors open," although he said he didn't know much money would be saved by closing the bathrooms.

"Restroom servicing is part of a much larger maintenance program; restrooms, mowing, blowing, sweeping, litter pickup ... all the various functions are going to be reduced," he said.

Other park cuts include delayed trash service and walkway maintenance. Nine parks department employees could also lose their jobs. The cumulative changes may save $576,000 of the $70 million budget deficit the city expects for next year.

No city service escaped the cuts: Along with spending less money, the city also wants to tack a $2 fee onto everyone's monthly phone bill to cover 911 emergency calls. And the total fees for single-family home sewer, trash, and water service could rise $30 a year. Library hours will also be reduced.

Nearly 300 city jobs may be cut, leaving 188 people out of work even after vacant positions are eliminated.

Police and firefighter applicants will also have to wait to attend training academies.

Still, none of the cuts are carved in stone yet. According to Vossbrink, the city council will spend the next month scrutinizing the budget and will vote on it in June. "The council then will have to look at the whole package together in order to achieve a balanced budget that serves our community as well as we can," he said.

Closing the $70 million shortfall in next year's budget demands that the council make hard choices. "Each proposed cut can be held up against others as we ask the same kind of question: Are parks more important than libraries? Is police more important than streets? Is preventive maintenance less important than direct services? Is today more important than tomorrow? Are seniors more important than kids?" Vossbrink asked. "There are many right answers, but none of them will be easy."

The first public hearing on the budget and proposed cuts will be held on May 18 as part of the regular city council meeting in council chambers at 6 p.m.

Moryt Milo contributed to this story.