Tight budgets are plaguing a number of cities around the state. Now, leaders in one city are looking at ways to keep their budget balanced.

Altoona Mayor Tom Meyer says he's always looking for ways to save. Now he's asked the city's attorney and public safety officer to research a municipal court system. The way figures are shaping up it looks like this idea could save the city thousands.

"Anytime budget comes around you're always looking at ways to cut costs or generate revenue," Mayor Meyer said.

The City of Altoona's budget is sitting balanced right now, but that isn't stopping some city leaders from researching more ways to save.

"We've looked at shared services and consolidating city positions, which we've done," City Attorney John Behling said.

The latest idea is creating a municipal court system in the city. That means any civil issues like speeding tickets and first time DWI's would be handled about once or twice a month in either the City Hall or the Emergency Services building.

"It would require a clerk, and most importantly a judge, and certainly our office as the prosecutors on behalf of the city," Behling said.

The city would appoint a judge to run the court system until an election comes up. Then the public would decide in an election who the judge would be.

"The court system would work toward being just as efficient as the county process. People would get trial, ample due process and a chance to come contest citations," Behling said.

Figures from the city finance director show it would cost just over $33,000 to get a municipal court system up and running for the first year. But, by year two the city is estimated to make almost $11,000.

"Not only what you'd make on the tickets which wouldn't be going to all the other entities as much, you'd save on legal costs," Mayor Meyer said.

"Ultimately what's gonna be in the best interest of the taxpayers is the decision the common council of Altoona's gonna make," Behling said.

Right now, a bill is in the assembly that may change how city municipal courts are run. Attorney Behling says the City of Altoona is watching that bill closely to see if it changes any costs for the city.

On Thursday night, Behling and Public Safety Director Todd Chaney are presenting their research on the pros and cons of a municipal court system to the city council. The council asked to move forward with the idea last year.