By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

AUBURN – The city could save another $11,000 per year if more residents recycled.

Only 25 percent of city residents use the curbside collection program, according to Public Works Director Bob Belz. That program generates about $44,000 for the city in the form of fees and revenues.

“We have capacity for another 200 tons of collections, if more people wanted to use it,” Belz said. “That means more money, and that goes right into the city’s general fund.”

Councilors Monday reviewed the city’s Public Works budget for 2006-07, including trash collections, snow plowing and road repairs. They urged Belz and his staff to kick off a campaign to get more residents to use the city’s program.

“People wonder what they can do to reduce property taxes, and this is something,” City Manager Pat Finnigan said.

Overall, the department budget calls for a 5.7 percent increase in general fund spending, including a 7.6 percent increase in operations and a 4.25 percent increase in salaries and overtime.

It also includes a $4.2 million bond issue to pay for new equipment, road repairs and other projects.

One program not making the budget this year is spring clean up. The city stopped the program in 2005 and ran a modified version the year before, only collecting scrap metal, brush and lumber.

Belz said the program cost the city about $76,000 in tipping fees alone in 2003. That was the last year the city ran a full spring clean up. Staff could cost another $100,000, he said.

It was popular, however. He continues to get complaints that the program has been stopped.

“If you used it regularly, its one of those programs you really loved,” Belz said. “If you didn’t use, you almost resented having the city pay for it.”

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