Two candidates are joining Steve Pierce in the race for Ypsilanti mayor, making it a contested August primary.

Council Member Lois Richardson, D-1st Ward, and Paul Schreiber, president of the Ypsilanti Housing Commission Board, announced their candidacies for the top job on the seven-member council.

Pierce filed for mayor in April.

The three candidates are running as Democrats as they try to replace Mayor Cheryl Farmer, an Independent who is not seeking reelection in November.

In addition to the mayor's race, several people have filed for council seats in the city's three wards: Council Member William Nickels, D-2nd Ward, filed for a third term; Mayor Pro Tem Trudy Swanson, D-1st Ward, filed for a third term; and Brian Robb and Rod Johnson filed for Ward 3 to replace Council Member Barry LaRue, who is not seeking reelection. Robb and Johnson filed as Democrats.

The deadline to file is Tuesday.

Richardson, 63, who is halfway through her second four-year term, said her experience on the council will help her lead the city out of its financial crisis from the mayor's chair.

"We're ready for change,'' said Richardson, who ran for mayor in 2002 but did not get enough votes to unseat Farmer.

Schreiber, 52, said his 11 years of experience on the housing commission and his involvement in the community will help him lead the city and work with the council during tough budget times.

"My experience working with people all over the city will be key to my ability to be a good mayor,'' Schreiber said.

Pierce said having more than one candidate provides an opportunity to debate issues with voters and find solutions to the city's fiscal problems.

"Choice is a good thing,'' Pierce said.

Ypsilanti has been struggling to balance its budget in the past several years.

The city is proposing to trim four full-time jobs, reduce part-time hours, cut $82,000 of funding for two bus routes, eliminate $12,500 in subsidies to the Downtown Development Authority and reduce by 50 percent subsidies to the Historical Museum, recreation and special events.

Three of the jobs on the chopping block are vacant.

Ypsilanti's proposed budget for next year is $14.5 million.

The cuts are designed to make up for a $462,000 deficit next year, said assistant manager Bob Bruner. In 2007-08, the city will see a deficit of $703,800 and another $417,300 the following year, he said.

Khalil E. Hachem can be reached at khachem@annarbornews.com or 734-482-3225.