COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Our city's finances were looking pretty flat last year and there were rumors Colorado Springs would be bankrupt in a few years' time.

Back in October of 2011, Mayor Steve Bach told FOX21 News, "If we don't change the cost we're going to be out of money in a few years."

But based on Mayor Bach's 2013 presentation, the city has turned things around, so how did they do it?

"We've asked every department, that's all departments to rethink and comeback with a new plan," Steve Bach, Mayor of Colorado Springs said.

A reinvented city government means the city has the ability to restore evening bus service and street lights thanks to redeploying dollars from their existing revenue base.

"I'm ecstatic to know the bus service may be extended," a Colorado Springs citizen said.

Bringing back the bus service was a big talker at Thursday night's E-town hall meeting.

Dozens of people touched on how their lives would be changed for the better if council were to approve the mayor's budget.

Mayor Bach listening and taking notes as citizens voiced their concerns about a possible cut to the Office of Innovation and Sustainability and the need for funding with the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

"We're walking a tightrope in a way, but we're working our way through it, I'm encouraged for the future," Mayor Bach said.

And encouraged his changes will help reinvigorate a community hit hard by the recession.