The city of Roanoke gave citizens a chance to take an online budget survey this year, and more than 1,000 people responded.

Respondents chose education as their top priority, and the city council later voted to contribute an extra $1.5 million to the public schools.

But several other important budget issues, including proposed eliminations and reductions to public services, would affect cash-strapped residents.

It will be July before most Roanokers start to notice the effect of those cuts, because that's when the next city fiscal year will begin.

Residents have a chance to weigh in. The proposed budget, which contains $7.5 million in cuts, will be presented during a council meeting Monday, and residents can sign up to speak. A public hearing on the budget is set for April 30 at 7 p.m. in the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building.

A majority of survey participants indicated that they can live with reductions in the service areas that the council is now considering, including loose-leaf service (86 percent), the police department's mounted patrol (85 percent), city aquatics programs (79 percent), Valley Metro bus service (64 percent) and branch library operations (61 percent).

Valley Metro

Savings: $295,000

The city would stop peak-time service for Brambleton Avenue and Southeast Roanoke routes; the routes will run hourly. The city would increase Smart Way fares from $3 to $4 (one-way).

Leaf collection

Savings: $248,460

The city's loose-leaf collection service would be eliminated. City garbage trucks would still pick up bagged leaves, but no more than six bags per week.

Public pools

Savings: $202,867

The city pools at Fallon Park and Washington Park would be closed this year.

Libraries

Savings: $25,000

Each of the city's branch libraries would close one day a week.

Police

Savings: $251,410

The city police department's mounted patrol would be cut back, if not eliminated altogether. Two of the five horses will be retained for special events, but not daily patrols.

Other cuts

Savings: nearly $6.5 million

• Eliminate funding for the Arts Festival
• 20 percent reduction of funding to outside agencies, including nonprofits
• Reduce employee programs, including retirement savings match, tuition reimbursement and training
• Suspend the library bookmobile for one year
• Close community fitness centers
• Close Norwich Community Center
• Reduce mowing 50 percent (medians, athletic fields and parks)
• Suspend police cadet program for one year
• Reduce social service programs, including general relief and state and local hospitalization