INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard's plan to balance the city's budget will include more money for police and fire departments, while cutting jail and parks operating costs.

Ballard presented his proposed $1.3 billion 2009 budget to the City-County Council Monday night.

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Analysis: Capitol WatchBlog: Ballard's Balanced Budget

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His plan would even out the standing $26 million deficit and create an estimated $4.8 million surplus, said Ballard's Press Secretary Marcus Barlow.

Spending increases would include $12.6 million for Indianapolis police, including the hiring of 38 public assistance officers.

Under Ballard's plan, the Indianapolis Fire Department would get an additional $7.2 million, while both the Department of Public Works and the Department of Metropolitan Development would receive an extra $4.4 million, earmarked for improvements to infrastructure and neighborhood improvements, respectively, Barlow said.

The largest proposed cut would slice jail spending by $5.5 million, Barlow said. The goal is to run the Marion County Jail for much less than the current $107 per offender per day. Barlow said housing offenders at the privatized Marion County Jail II only costs the city $42 per offender per day.

Democrats called the plan a threat to public safety.

"The mayor campaigned on a promise of not cutting public safety funding, but if the jail and the courts aren’t part of the public safety system what is?" said Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy in a press release. "What makes a neighborhood safer than keeping criminals in jail where they belong? This is a short-sighted and dangerous plan for Indianapolis.”

Ballard's plan would also cut the budget for township assessors by $3 million by consolidating all township assessors into a single county assessor, Barlow said.

Some of those who hold the office said they were not pleased with the proposed cut.

"Well it sort of felt like getting buried before you died," said Franklin Township Assessor Becky Williams, a Republican. "That's pretty much how we all felt around here this morning. I'm not sure they can legally do that. I've looked at the statute and according to statute, they have to fund my office."

The measure would have to pass a vote first.

The city parks and arts budget would also be condensed by $3 million, something Director of Indy Parks and Recreation Joseph Wynns said he's ready to take on.

"You've got to play the hand you're dealt. No sense in me whining. No sense in me saying, 'Oh, it's bad!'" Wynns said Sunday. "At the end of the day, they're going to say, 'Joe, get it done.' So I still have to look at this from an optimist's standpoint."

Wynns said the cuts would likely mean less trash pickup and lawn mowing at the city's 206 parks and would put hiring and planned expansions on hold. He said pool fees would not be increased, but that golf and shelter rental fees might go up modestly.

Ballard's entire budget proposal was available on the city's Web site.

There will be a public hearing on the matter Sept. 8 and the council is expected to vote on the proposed budget Sept. 22.