Facing a $500,000 cut in state aid this year, and even more next year, Albert Lea city employees took the old "suggestion box" concept to a new level, and came up with dozens of suggestions to save money.

According to the Albert Lea Tribune, their ideas include: implementing a storm water fund and street light fund, better use of employees between departments. motion sensors for lights and reducing hours of service.

Meeting five times to come up with ideas, an employee group has now presented the list to the city manager.

They include thoughts about cutting employee costs: allowing employees to take unpaid leave rather than vacation, fostering use of volunteers and internships during hiring freezes and better using employees between departments. They also included going to four, 10-hour days or alternative work schedules.

Some other suggestions: reduce consultants;  eliminate or reduce the hours of the fountains on Fountain Lake; eliminate the city’s discretionary funds; and reduce the frequency of street sweeping, tree trimming, sewer maintenance and grass cutting.