LEWISTON – Mayor Larry Gilbert is looking for people to help review the city’s budget this spring.

Gilbert announced his intention to create a nine-member group of volunteers to review the city’s $42 million municipal budget. The group would begin meeting at the April 5 budget workshop.

“Realizing that this is short notice, the urgency is required as the budget process has already begun with preliminary presentations,” Gilbert said Monday in a news release.

Councilors picked up their copies of the city’s budget books last week and should begin reviewing them tonight during a work session. Councilors have until the end of May to adopt their final budget for the 2008 fiscal year.

According to Gilbert’s plan, he would appoint two members of the group from anywhere in the city. City councilors would fill the remaining seven seats, each councilor naming one person from their ward.

Lewiston residents interested in serving should contact their city councilor and go to the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall to get an application. They can download an application via the city’s Web site as well. That address is http://ci.lewiston.me.us/clerk/boards-commissions.htm

Completed applications must be submitted to the clerk’s office.