ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) – A central Indiana city is going to court to try to relieve its budget pressures.

Officials in Anderson filed a complaint in Madison County Circuit Court this past week challenging portions of the Fire Department contract that prohibit the city from reducing the department’s staff or salaries or putting firefighters on furloughs.

Mayor Kevin Smith told The Herald Bulletin that the firefighters’ contract isn’t fair to employees in other departments who could face layoffs due to a $2.5 million deficit. Smith says public services in the city about 25 miles northeast of Indianapolis also could be affected.
Union president Jon Smith says the group’s attorney has advised it not to comment.

A hearing is scheduled for Friday.