AUBURN -- Auburn is changing, that is for sure. But if City Manager Mark Palesh's proposed budget passes in its current state, three things will stay the same.

Palesh presented his proposal Thursday night to Auburn City Council for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. The $47 million budget includes some changes, but no increases in property taxes, sewer rates or water rates.

Palesh said during the work session that he spent "considerable time" negotiating with all the city department heads to keep costs low while maintaining the current level of services.

"I think we are in the best position a city can be in without raising taxes," Palesh said. "I think I have been equally tough on everyone here, and we are going to do the best using what the public has given us."

Palesh's budget proposes property taxes remain at $12.81 per $1,000 of assessed value. It calls for an overall increase of 1.5 full-time city employees, and it establishes a $200,000 reserve fund for worker's compensation and a $300,000 reserve for Governmental Accounting Standards Board guidelines.

The proposed budget also calls for overtime costs to be cut in all departments.

Councilors Thomas McNabb, Gilda Brower Matt Smith and William Graney all had positive initial reactions during and after the meetings.

To read the full report see Friday's edition of The Citizen