AUBURN – The city’s capital budget came in for some trimming Monday when councilors nixed plans to replace floor tiles in Edward Little High School, floor and ceiling tiles at the Franklin School and half the money for new technology at Auburn Middle School.

“We’ve waited for years to do some of these projects,” Councilor Ron Potvin said. “I think we can wait another two years.”

Councilors approved a $6.43 million capital bond package to pay for capital projects including new equipment, road paving and work to city buildings and properties.

But it was the school department’s proposed $1 million share of that bond package that councilors focused on. They had questions about new sinks and counters and a ventilation system in Sherwood Heights Elementary and a truck with snowplow to clear school lots next winter.

But Potvin proposed two actual cuts, getting rid of both tiling projects at EL and at the Franklin School. School officials have proposed massive renovations at the high school and have questioned the future of Franklin.

“I don’t think it’s wise to spend money replacing tiles in either building when we don’t know what their future will be,” Potvin said.

And Potvin said he wasn’t convinced about purchasing “smart boards” for the middle school. Those are white boards that connect to classroom computers and are designed to enhance interactivity.

“But I’m not convinced they actually help,” Potvin said. He slashed the proposed $100,000 budget for the technology in half.

Most of his council colleagues agreed, but it took two votes to get the approval. A first vote failed to get a five vote super majority required by the charter – Councilor Bruce Bickford was absent for Monday’s meeting, and Councilors Bob Mennealy and Bob Hayes voted against it.

Mennealy changed sides in a second vote, and the bond package was approved 5-1.

Councilors also approved their budget on final reading. Overall, the budget requires $2.1 million less in property taxes. That looks to reduce the city’s property tax rate by 80 cents and should bring down property tax bills on an average priced $160,000 home by $117.

Auburn voters approved the school’s $34.2 million budget at a special election earlier this month.