The Auburn City Council is ready for a stream of voices likely objecting to portions of the proposed budget for 2007-2008, asking for explanations, and making suggestions of their own.
The city scheduled a public hearing for tonight, a week before councilors will vote on a revised budget.
The budget contains 11 part-time or full-time employee layoffs, reduction of two workers' hours, and three new positions.
Since city manager Mark Palesh recommended the financial plan in May, residents have pleaded with him to keep a part-time human rights director and to stop the bleeding from public works and solid waste.
However, the public is not yet privy to any potential modifications or amendments to the budget, but Palesh says any changes will be “minor.” He still is working on a list of revisions based on councilors' input.
The only substantial change regards funding garbage curbside collection. Palesh originally proposed reducing property taxes by 11 percent, the amount earmarked to support residential trash disposal. Instead, he suggested a universal fee of $108 annually to pay for garbage collection.
Now, the budget maintains the levy level. Also, a new proposed flat fee will come from non-profits and governmental properties rather than residents and businesses.
The new plan requires tax exempt properties that already use the city's pickup service to pay $18 monthly. Properties owned or occupied by a state or Cayuga County agency will pay $18 each month for smaller buildings and $27 each month for spaces larger than 3,500 square feet and $15 for each 10,000 square feet additional. This system would assist the city to charge the government buildings based on how much they produce, Palesh said.
The city stands to make $21,000 by applying the measure, but Palesh predicts other organizations may utilize Auburn's garbage services when they compare rates.
“The county's been very receptive. They feel as the city does - if they use a service, they should pay for it,” Palesh said.
Councilors will review the trash fee measure at tonight's work session. If they accept the budget next week, the nonprofits will start to pay beginning July 1. Palesh has heard positive feedback from the five members of council.
They say “that this is something that should have happened a long time ago. They just want the details to make sure there are no glitches in it and so they can answer questions,” he said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
If You Go
What: Public hearing regarding the recommended budget
When: 6 p.m. today, June 7
Where: Memorial City Hall, 24 South St., Auburn
Who: Anyone is allowed to make comments regarding the proposed budget for 2007-2008.
The budget contains 11 part-time or full-time employee layoffs, reduction of two workers' hours, and three new positions.
Since city manager Mark Palesh recommended the financial plan in May, residents have pleaded with him to keep a part-time human rights director and to stop the bleeding from public works and solid waste.
However, the public is not yet privy to any potential modifications or amendments to the budget, but Palesh says any changes will be “minor.” He still is working on a list of revisions based on councilors' input.
The only substantial change regards funding garbage curbside collection. Palesh originally proposed reducing property taxes by 11 percent, the amount earmarked to support residential trash disposal. Instead, he suggested a universal fee of $108 annually to pay for garbage collection.
Now, the budget maintains the levy level. Also, a new proposed flat fee will come from non-profits and governmental properties rather than residents and businesses.
The new plan requires tax exempt properties that already use the city's pickup service to pay $18 monthly. Properties owned or occupied by a state or Cayuga County agency will pay $18 each month for smaller buildings and $27 each month for spaces larger than 3,500 square feet and $15 for each 10,000 square feet additional. This system would assist the city to charge the government buildings based on how much they produce, Palesh said.
The city stands to make $21,000 by applying the measure, but Palesh predicts other organizations may utilize Auburn's garbage services when they compare rates.
“The county's been very receptive. They feel as the city does - if they use a service, they should pay for it,” Palesh said.
Councilors will review the trash fee measure at tonight's work session. If they accept the budget next week, the nonprofits will start to pay beginning July 1. Palesh has heard positive feedback from the five members of council.
They say “that this is something that should have happened a long time ago. They just want the details to make sure there are no glitches in it and so they can answer questions,” he said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
If You Go
What: Public hearing regarding the recommended budget
When: 6 p.m. today, June 7
Where: Memorial City Hall, 24 South St., Auburn
Who: Anyone is allowed to make comments regarding the proposed budget for 2007-2008.
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???? Why wrote on Jun 7, 2007 1:39 PM: