AUBURN - The city of Auburn has its new budget. But the $47.3 million fiscal plan received bit of a face - and price - lift before it was passed.
Auburn City Council voted 4-1 Thursday during a business meeting to pass the 2008-2009 budget. The vote came after members of council and city staff requested a number of last-minute amendments to the proposal that was released in May.
The changes resulted in a total budget increase of $29,243, which will come from the city's contingency fund.
"It's a budget we can all work with," City Manager Mark Palesh said after the longer-than-normal meeting. "I think we ended up with a product that is very livable."
After 3.5 hours and a lot of deliberations, council approved a budget with the following amendments:
* The office of the corporation counsel will be staffed by a full-time attorney, deputy attorney and secretary. The proposed budget had called for one full-time attorney and one paralegal.
* The part-time police officer positions for security at city hall were eliminated.
* Council reinstated funding for the position of secretary to the Auburn Civil Service Commission. The position will pay $8,143 for the year, which is $2,000 more than the current salary.
* Two temporary positions were added to the payroll - one to fill an absence in the city treasurer's office and the other to assist the code enforcement department during the summer.
* Two part-time employees will replace the full-time RSVP driver, who is retiring. The two new employees will also work for parks maintenance.
Councilor Matthew Smith was the sole vote against the budget. Smith said his objective is to curb spending, as the city can't cut taxes without reducing spending. During the meeting, Smith specifically voiced opposition to hiring a second full-time attorney and giving back the funds for the civil service secretary.
"I thought we went on a bit of a spending spree tonight," Smith said.
Auburn Mayor Michael Quill was the member who requested a second attorney in the corporation counsel's office. The addition would make a good "backup system" if one attorney is not available, he said.
However, Quill said he was pleased with the work of Palesh and City Comptroller Lisa Green.
"I think it was well thought out and well put together," Quill said.
For the full report, read Friday's edition of The Citizen.
The changes resulted in a total budget increase of $29,243, which will come from the city's contingency fund.
"It's a budget we can all work with," City Manager Mark Palesh said after the longer-than-normal meeting. "I think we ended up with a product that is very livable."
After 3.5 hours and a lot of deliberations, council approved a budget with the following amendments:
* The office of the corporation counsel will be staffed by a full-time attorney, deputy attorney and secretary. The proposed budget had called for one full-time attorney and one paralegal.
* The part-time police officer positions for security at city hall were eliminated.
* Council reinstated funding for the position of secretary to the Auburn Civil Service Commission. The position will pay $8,143 for the year, which is $2,000 more than the current salary.
* Two temporary positions were added to the payroll - one to fill an absence in the city treasurer's office and the other to assist the code enforcement department during the summer.
* Two part-time employees will replace the full-time RSVP driver, who is retiring. The two new employees will also work for parks maintenance.
Councilor Matthew Smith was the sole vote against the budget. Smith said his objective is to curb spending, as the city can't cut taxes without reducing spending. During the meeting, Smith specifically voiced opposition to hiring a second full-time attorney and giving back the funds for the civil service secretary.
"I thought we went on a bit of a spending spree tonight," Smith said.
Auburn Mayor Michael Quill was the member who requested a second attorney in the corporation counsel's office. The addition would make a good "backup system" if one attorney is not available, he said.
However, Quill said he was pleased with the work of Palesh and City Comptroller Lisa Green.
"I think it was well thought out and well put together," Quill said.
For the full report, read Friday's edition of The Citizen.
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 3 comment(s)
Andy b wrote on Jun 13, 2008 10:18 AM:
The taxpayer watchblog wrote on Jun 13, 2008 9:37 AM:
I think one of our elected representatives actually gets it.
“…Councilor Matthew Smith was the sole vote against the budget. Smith said his objective is to curb spending, as the city can't cut taxes without reducing spending…”
He cast the dissenting vote on a budget that even with some spending additions results in a ZERO percent tax increase.
In every other corner of government we hear about keeping spending at the level of inflation.
• We hear elected leaders accept and defend spending increases as a way of life
• We hear of labor unions trying to usurp a 4% spending increase cap
• We hear about everyone blaming some other entity for their budget troubles as a rationale for spending increases
But now, could the stars have lined up in unison?
Matt may have been absent the day they taught “Government Spending” in school. Or perhaps he understands the way government is supposed to work; when a government becomes too expensive for its people to afford it curbs spending to make it more affordable. It’s a real basic premise, but so often this is ignored.
We need to cut spending and reduce taxes in this region in hopes of making the area livable again. It’s nice to know at least one of our elected officials not only understands that but is also doing something about it. "
brew1234 wrote on Jun 12, 2008 11:43 PM: