Amid the new predictions coming out about the city of Auburn breaking even on this year's budget (June 30 marks the end of the fiscal year), some observations might be needed to keep things in proper perspective.

If Auburn does break even this year as some predict, it'll be without that ridiculous trash tax that keeps popping up. Yes, there are other ways to balance a budget than saddling the already over-burdened residents with more suffocating taxes.

A good place to start is fighting inefficient government and frivolous spending projects.

However, the biggest problem continues to be health insurance costs for city employees and the problem hasn't gotten any smaller.

It's still expected to be about $500,000 over budget. Here's something I've said repeatedly in this column and I'll continue saying it until somebody begins to address this important issue: The answer to Auburn's fiscal performance in the future hinges on finding a way to reduce these employee expenditures.

They have skyrocketed out of sight due to abuses and bad contract negotiations. It's breaking our backs and can't continue.

These chickens have come home to roost and can't be ignored any longer.

That said, some good progress seems to have been made with the Auburn Fire Department. Apparently it's possible that overtime in the fire department might come in about $100,000 below this year's budget. If this is true (we'll see), it will save us a bundle both short-term and long-term.

Of course, we'll save money immediately just on the face of it, but the biggest savings will come over the long haul in cutting down bloated retirement benefits.

This is exactly the kind of thing that must be brought into line for taxpayers in this town to have any chance at all.

In the past we've had nobody to speak for us and they just passed it on in oppressive taxes.

That's just one small example of why New York slams its residents with higher taxes than any state in the union.

The Business Council of New York recently released some statistics that listed New York as the No. 1 state in combined state and local taxes.

We need to stay informed and be proactive in our government.

Our representatives need to know that we are watching and really do care about what is going on. There's still time to turn things around and save our town and hopefully New York, too.

Ducayne's column appears

Tuesdays in The Citizen, and she can be reached at

sacredheart6005@hotmail.com