By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

AUBURN – A three-hour review of tax incentives and economic development left 12 residents hungry for more Monday night.

The group, members of a new committee convened to advise the City Council on the budget, said they want more timely information and better access to city financial documents.

They met with Mayor Normand Guay and city staff for 45 minutes before Monday’s City Council workshop meeting, then met briefly afterward to plan their next steps.

“It’s not going to do us much good if we don’t have a chance to look at the information before the meeting,” said member Anna Camire.

Councilors appointed the group last week to help review the city’s fiscal year 2006-07 budget preparations and help identify possible savings. Monday was their first meeting as a group. They’ll meet again next Monday briefly before the City Council’s review of the Police Department budget.

“If there are areas where you think the city is falling down or not doing what it should, the council wants to hear about it,” City Manager Pat Finnigan said. “The staff needs to hear it.”

Monday’s meeting was devoted to economic development. Economic Development Director Roland Miller said the city depends on bringing in new business and industry to keep the property taxes level.

Most of the evening was devoted tax increment financing and TIF districts, a key tool for the city.

“It is one of the most easily misunderstood tools we use,” Miller said.

TIFs allow the city to utilize property taxes on business development projects. Part of the property taxes paid on new development continues to flow directly into the city’s general budget. But part is kept aside and can be used to pay for city utilities, streets or landscaping or can be refunded back to the business.

Members of the committee said they wanted less discussion about theory and more access to city TIF results. Guay and Miller said that information would be provided as budget discussions continued.

Miller said he welcomed the group and the closer public scrutiny on budget matters.

“Never before has our citizenry been as engaged as it is now,” Miller said. “No community can go forward without involving its citizens. We look to you to decide what we need to do, what target we’re shooting at.”

Members said they were confident as well.

“I certainly have better things to do with my time,” said committee member Paul Raymond. “But if this leads to a better result for the city, it’s worth it.”

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