Wading pools around Seattle will close or have reduced hours as part of Mayor Mike McGinn's midyear budget cuts.

Seattle Budget Director Beth Goldberg briefed the Seattle City Council Monday morning on about $11.7 million worth of cuts. Most departments are taking about a 3 percent hit. After an apartment fire over the weekend that killed five people, McGinn decided to make no immediate cuts to the Fire Department budget. He will delay hiring 20 police officers.

The mayor decided not to spend any of the citywide, $10 million rainy-day fund. He will spend more than half of the library's savings account and about half of the Parks Department savings.

The mayor decided to keep all swimming pools and community centers open for the rest of the year after hundreds of people clamored for parks services at community meetings this spring.

'Wading pools, however, will take a hit. Ten will be closed and 10 others will be open only three days a week. The remaining five won't be affected.

"We heard very clearly, as I believe you did, that parks services are valued very highly by our community members, and are trying to preserve those as much as possible for the rest of 2010," Goldberg told the council.

The city still faces about a $50 million shortfall for 2011.

In a news conference, the mayor said he wanted more time to consider the cuts for next year and whether the city should raise taxes and fees to preserve some services.

Without raising more revenue, some departments would have to cut up to 15 percent next year.

"It's easier to implement a larger cut with more preparation," he said.