Sometimes you have to pay higher taxes in the short run for a better long term payoff. Raise taxes if needed short term. Require each department to submit ideas in reducing future costs. Could the police department cut costs in ten years if we spent a little more on keeping kids in school now? Could we plant lower maintance city trees that can still withstand the snow? Would it help the fire department to have Smokey the Bear come to town and tell people to stop throwing lit cigarettes on the ground?