of service to the citizens of Fort Collins in an effort to target those positions which would be subject to elimination."    The occurrence and purpose of these meetings is supported by various affidavits of other defendants and other affiants.  As a result of the meetings, Burkett "concluded that the role of assistant city manager was somewhat undefined and that its elimination would not unacceptably detrimentally impact upon the direct provision of service to the citizens, and accordingly decided that the position should be eliminated."


22
To demonstrate the City's financial condition as of March 1986, defendants also present the affidavit of Alan Krcmarik, the present Director of Finance for the City, and the Director of Budget and Research for the City in February 1986.  Inhis former position, Krcmarik was in charge of preparing budgets for the City and doing research and analysis of the City's financial situation.  Krcmarik's affidavit tends to support Burkett's description of the City's need to reduce costs.  His affidavit and the attachments thereto assert that in the Spring of 1986, the City "faced serious long-term budget problems."    For the year 1985, Krcmarik's figures showed a deficit of approximately $600,000 in the City's general fund, and as of March 1986, projected deficits in the general fund of approximately $1.5 million for 1986, $2.9 million for 1987 and $2.5 million in 1988.


23
Ms. Lewis, through her affidavit and attachments, has attempted to rebut appellants' above proffered justifications for the elimination of her position.  As to