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.

In other news:

- Councilors voted 3-2 in favor of holding city council meetings at 4 p.m. between June 26 and August 28. Meetings normally start at 6 p.m.

Smith, who voted against the measure along with Councilor William Graney, said the earlier time will make it harder for the working public to attend the meetings. However, Councilor Thomas McNabb pointed out after the vote that the council previously held its meetings at 4:30 p.m. for 20 years.

Council also rescheduled its July 3 meeting to July 2.

- Councilors tabled a vote on a resolution to approve a feasibility study for a new public works garage and fire station. Graney moved to have the resolution tabled until council can hold a work session on the topic and discuss possible locations.

The resolution was tabled after council voted 3-2 against transferring $30,000 to fund the studies.

- Council unanimously approved an ordinance giving owner-occupied residential customers a 10 percent reduction in sewer fees during the summer quarter.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.