The Flint City Council approved a $55 million budget late Monday night with a major focus in those numbers of keeping 33 firefighters on the job. Council members voted 6-2 with Allan Griggs absent for the vote to green light to moving $1.7 million out of the general fund and into the fire department. Councilman Eric Mays said now is not the time for layoffs and he believes the city will make up those funds in a few years. This budget now goes to Mayor Karen Weaver for her final approval. She has seven days to veto this $1.7 million amendment and several others. The Flint Fire Department was awarded a $2 million SAFER grant a couple years ago. That allowed the department to hire on 33 firefighters and reopen a fire station. Flint Fire Chief Raymond Barton says they're going to run out of that money by the end of the month. He feels hopeful about this motion, but isn't holding his breath.