The Citizen staff report

Auburn police officers plan to take their displeasure with the city's budget process this year to the public.

Members of the Auburn Police Department's Local Union 195 will be picketing at 4 p.m. Thursday in front of Memorial City Hall over a proposal to eliminate six patrol officers from the department.

The city council will be meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday for a public hearing on the 2006-j07 budget.

During considerations of the budget so far this year, the school board of the Auburn Enlarged City School District have already agree to pay a larger share of the school resource officer program next year, reducing costs to the city.

The council is considering whether to also eliminate six more patrol officers and apply that savings to lower the proposed 9-percent property tax increase or to keep the positions.

The APD currently staffs five patrol officers and one commander on each shift, but Police Chief Gary Giannotta said he would have to eliminate two officers from every shift if the six patrol officers are cut.

For the full report, read Wednesday's edition of The Citizen.