Brooklyn community board leaders, elected officials and residents gathered on the steps of City Hall Tuesday to protest looming community board budget cuts.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced each of the city?s 59 local community board budgets will be cut by about $35,000, which equals one person?s salary per board. Leaders say the cutbacks are devastating to communities who rely on Brooklyn?s 18 local, accessible boards for concerns like apartment evictions, traffic and affordable housing.

?When [people] don't know where to go to find out about senior programs, or if you?re facing eviction, if you have questions about health care, this is where you go,? Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. says.

Protesters say they hope the community boards will be properly funded, despite the threat of cutbacks. The mayor will work with city officials to finalize the budget in the coming weeks.