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October 12, 2008

City sets two more budget hearings

By JOE LoTEMPLIO

PLATTSBURGH -- City councilors will hold two more budget sessions in hopes of paring down expenses and increasing revenues.

Meetings will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at City Hall and are open to the public.

Mayor Donald Kasprzak said the council will look at fees, state aid and personnel.

"If we accomplish what I hope we will, then we will have a projected tax levy by Thursday, Oct. 16," Kasprzak said.

The City Charter calls for the mayor to deliver a budget to the council by Oct. 1. The council then has until Jan. 15 to make any changes before adopting a final spending plan.

But with a cloudy financial picture the past two years, the mayor, with council approval, changed the budget process.

He asked each department head to submit his or her budget request for 2009 by Sept. 1. The council met with each department head during September and reviewed those requests.

Once the projected tax rate is set, the council will have the rest of the year to make changes, if necessary.

"We might be a little late, according to the charter, but I will accept that in exchange for getting a responsible budget done that will best serve the taxpayers of this city," Kasprzak said.

Councilor James Calnon (I-Ward 4), who as mayor pro tem serves as budget officer, said the council will consider raising some fees.

"A lot of them have not been raised in years, so we might consider some modest increases."

Personnel will also be looked at for possible cuts.

"Everything is on the table, and it has to be," Calnon said.

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

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