CASTLE ROCK — City leaders, warned by state auditors this summer to curb spending, will cut nearly $74,000 from the 2009 budget and add $74,000 from a federal grant and stimulus funds to balance the books.

The City Council tentatively approved the plan Monday during a budget workshop. The adjustments won’t be official until the council votes at a regular meeting next month. The council isn’t done with budget talks: workshops on the 2010 budget start in two weeks.

The police department cut $19,000 from its 2009 budget. The cuts include eliminating a part-time summer officer and reducing spending on training, uniforms and vehicle repairs. Gas also is costing the department less than expected. In addition, the city received federal stimulus money to save a police officer position.

Elsewhere, the amount allocated for court services was reduced by $30,000. Court services so far this year have cost less than expected.

The council also dropped plans for a new phone system and reduced hours for building inspections and planning services.

The city was able to use $63,037 in Community Development Block Grant money to help balance the budget.

Because of the spending cuts and federal money, the city will not have to borrow from other city funds to balance this year’s budget. Plans to do so were criticized by state auditors who feared the city wouldn’t be able to pay back the money within the required three years.

Officials initially feared they would have to cut as much as $300,000 to balance this year’s budget but better than expected revenues helped reduce the figure to about $140,000.

The 2009 cuts don’t solve the looming budget deficit for 2010; they merely ensure the city will have enough money to pay its bills through the end of the year.

City officials ran a $250,000 police levy in this month’s primary election to stave off deeper cuts. The levy failed nearly three to one.

The first 2010 budget workshop is set for 5 p.m. Sept. 8 in the Castle Rock Senior Center, 222 Second Ave. SW. The second will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 before the regular council meeting, also in the senior center.