By Nick Werner, Star Press

nwerner@muncie.gannett.com

MUNCIE -- Muncie City Council eliminated Deputy Mayor Dick Shirey's job and 11 others Monday night to bridge a $1.5 million budget gap for next year.

In doing so, the mostly Democratic council ignored a plan from Republican Mayor Sharon McShurley that would have made up the difference by requiring employees to pay more in 2010 for health care.