Balancing a city budget can be a tricky process.

Lansing is learning that the hard way as Mayor Virg Bernero and City Council members struggle to eliminate an $11-million budget deficit.

Bernero's proposed budget includes selling Potter Park Zoo to Ingham County, closing or selling the Waverly and Red Cedar golf courses, cutting about $450,000 from cemetery maintenance and eliminating 73 city jobs.

Many Lansing residents, some of whom spoke out at a meeting with City Council on Tuesday night, are upset about the proposed budget.

Residents' concerns are understandable. After all, who wants to take money away from animals or tending to the dead?

It's sounds callous at first, but the city needs to balance the budget.

It can either take huge chunks of money from one program or service or try to cut away in several different areas. By selling the zoo, taking money away from cemeteries and closing or selling golf courses, Bernero is trying to cut some from a variety of places instead of completely eliminating one thing.

No one should declare something as hands off or claim that something absolutely shouldn't lose money.

Instead, council members, Bernero and residents need to work together and keep their minds open when balancing the budget.

Bernero should also try to look at preserving current services or programs before trying to fund new ones. City officials also need to make sure they are listening to residents and taking their opinions into consideration. Residents should continue to voice their ideas so city officials know how they feel.

With continued cooperation and conversations, Lansing city officials and residents can hopefully create a budget that eliminates the deficit, but is also sensitive to the city's needs.

They just need to keep working.