For the second time in the past few months, Auburn city councilors will consider enacting a hiring restriction on all city hires.

In early November, Mayor Tim Lattimore proposed a hiring freeze for all vacant city positions. Lattimore's resolution would have required city manager John Salomone to receive the approval of council before making any hires. At the time, the resolution was not sponsored by any of the other councilors and was never voted on.

Two weeks ago, councilor Matt Smith, who began his term as councilor in January, proposed a similar hiring restriction - the only difference being that Smith's proposed restriction would be effective only until June 30, the end of this fiscal year.

Smith said he would support longer-term hiring restrictions, however, noting labor costs are the biggest expense in the city's budget. He said while some hires are justified, he would like council to have a say in that decision.

“This is our job as elected officials to watch the people's money,” he said. “Facing the financial situation that we're facing, the council needs to look at this.”

Under the current budget conditions, the city would face a $2.7 million deficit at the end of fiscal year 2007.

Councilors and city department heads have met for two goal-setting budget sessions in recent weeks to consider ways to address the financial situation.

At Thursday's city council meeting, the council will vote on the hiring resolution, another resolution proposed by Smith that would require council approval for all city purchases over $3,000 and a third resolution proposed by Lattimore requiring council approval for all travel and training expenses.

Smith believes the hiring and purchasing restrictions are a start in curbing city spending wherever possible.

“Spending has got to be under control - these are two steps in doing that,” he said. “It needs to be a little more closely scrutinized than it has been.”

Salomone said there would probably “be a handful of positions” that would become vacant between now and the end of the fiscal year. He said typically between 10 and 20 positions become vacant over the course of a year.

Smith's proposal would require a super majority, or four votes, for the approval of any hire between now and June 30. While Salomone wasn't opposed to the proposal, he said if the restriction is enacted, he hopes the council will be considerate of any hiring requests that have valid justification.

“We certainly want to work as much as we can with the council,” Salomone said. “You have to take (hires) on a case-by-case basis.”

Lattimore also proposed the city be required to receive council approval on all travel and training expenses.

He believes the city could save as much as $100,000 by taking a closer look at all travel and training costs.

Some of those costs could be reduced by doing away with any duplication of training, he said, noting that both he and Salomone attend the New York State Conference of Mayors meetings, for example.

“I just want to make sure all spending is necessary,” Lattimore said. “More control might be helpful to minimize some of the travel.”

Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net