First-term city councilors Matthew Smith and William Graney were both re-elected to the Auburn City Council Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

They defeated challenger Jack Hardy, a retired Auburn native who recently moved back to the area.

Smith, a Republican, and Graney, a Democrat, both said the results reflect general approval from Auburn residents of their jobs on the council.

When they first took office four years ago, the city was facing financial difficulties. Since then, the city has gone three years without property tax increases.

Smith said he has helped bring more transparency to city hall and that the voters have agreed.

“I think I've been consistent for four years,” he said. “The people know where I stand on the issues. My loyalty has always been to the people, not to city hall and not to political parties.”

For Graney, the election has been an indication that the taxpayers “know what's going on,” and like what they have seen from the two incumbents.

“Their message is clear,” Graney said. “I believe that I'm in the taxpayers' corners.

The election wraps up a relatively quiet, controversy-free campaign by all three candidates. The biggest issues discussed publicly focused on city finances and quality of life.

Smith ran on the message of strict fiscal responsibility, saying multiple times that the city will need to curtail spending in every way possible in coming years. Smith said during his campaign that property tax rates increases for residents should be the very last resort for balancing future budgets.

He also pushed for changes to city codes that would make it easier and more affordable for home owners to improve their properties. Smith specifically has advocated on the city council for removing any mandates that force city property owners to install sidewalks in front of their homes or businesses at their own expense.

Graney said he also believes the city will need to watch spending as the state tightens its belt. And he also supported similar changes to those Smith suggested regarding the sidewalk policy.

But Graney also said during his campaign that he city could ease the strain on its finances and citizens through renegotiating its water and sewer contracts with surrounding towns. He named the sewer contracts as one of his highest priorities, stating many times that customers outside of Auburn should be paying up to 15 percent more than residents.

Despite a defeat, Hardy said the election process has been an education through which he's learned a lot about the community where he grew up. The biggest lesson, he said, is that everyone should take part in the process.

“People need to participate more in this community if Auburn is going to succeed,” said Hardy, who was also endorsed by local Democratic Party.

One of Hardy's main issues was city parks and playgrounds. He maintained that the city should pour more resources into its smaller, lesser-known neighborhood parks and work more with private groups and citizens to improve them.

Retired from a 25-year career in corporate events planning, he also called for creative solutions and more communication to solve city issues.

Hardy said he still plans on staying involved in local government and organizations. He will continue to serve on Auburn's Civil Service Commission, as well as the numerous boards and committees on which he serves, he said.

Don't be surprised if his name is on a future ballot, either.

“It's a tough night to answer that question, but I don't see why not,” Hardy said.

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