LEWISTON – Several of 17 vacant city staff positions could be on the budget-chopping block, according to city councilors Thursday.

City Administrator Jim Bennett will spend the next week considering which of 17 vacant positions the city can do without. Most were left by employees who have retired or quit Lewiston government.

Bennett will report back to the city council April 24 with staff reorganization plan, designed to reduce the city’s 2008 budget.

“I’m not ready to say that we can do without all of these positions,” Bennett said. “Some of them are vital, and I don’t think we can continue to operate without them. But I will come back and recommend that some of them not be filled at all.”

Bennett said it will require a major shift in the city’s organizational structure. He told councilors that he would need at least a week to work on it and discuss it with city staff.

“The moment we discuss it, it will send shock waves through our organization,” he said. “I would like the opportunity to meet with department and union representatives to let them know what to expect.”

Bennett presented his draft budget to councilors last month. It calls for a $2.5 million budget increase and 10.9 percent increase in property tax collections. That could mean tax bills $113.48 higher for owners of average homes.

Pressures on Lewiston’s budget included higher costs across the board and less revenue from the state and city fees and unknowns where the school budget and property values are concerned.

Sell tower?

Councilors are also considering a deal to sell controlling interest in a cell phone tower atop the Lewiston Armory to a private company.

The city rents space on the cell phone tower now for a $1,625 per month. Unison, a company that manages cell tower space, has offered to pay the city $148,000 to gain controlling interest in the tower. According to the offer, the city would also get a 50 percent share of additional profits from renting the tower.

Bennett said the instant infusion of easy cash could drop the city’s property tax rate by 10 cents.

“It really is tempting when we’re looking at a budget like this,” Bennett said.

Councilors will discuss the cell phone tower issue during their meeting Tuesday night.