Ten people filed for four seats on the Ypsilanti City Council, making the August primary a hot race in a city that is struggling to balance its budget.

Council Member Lois Richardson, D-1st Ward, Steve Pierce and Paul Schreiber are competing to replace Mayor Cheryl Farmer, who will not run for a fourth term. Richardson is halfway through her third four-year term. Pierce and Schreiber filed as Democrats.

Juanita House and David Kircher are challenging Mayor Pro Tem Trudy Swanson, D-1st Ward. Swanson is running for a third four-year term. House and Kircher filed as Democrats.

John Bailey is challenging Council Member William Nickels, D-2nd Ward. Nickels is running for a third term. Bailey is a Democrat.

Brian Robb and Rod Johnson are vying to replace Council Member Barry LaRue, D-3rd Ward. LaRue retired from the council after serving two four-year terms. Robb and Johnson both filed as Democrats.

The city includes three wards and 11,930 registered voters, said Deputy Clerk Amanda Holsinger. The deadline to file as an independent is July 20, she said.

Most candidates have said they decided to run to lead the city out of its financial problems.

Ypsilanti has been struggling to balance its budget in the past several years, and council members are currently debating $1.6 million spending cuts to balance the 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 budgets. The cuts include reduction in services and elimination of about 19 jobs over the three years, said Assistant City Manager Bob Bruner. Four of the jobs are vacant.

The City Council includes six council members and a mayor, who are all part time and meet twice a month to vote on city business. Ypsilanti is a city manager form of government.

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