AUBURN — School supporters filled the City Council chambers Monday night to urge support for a 5 percent spending increase for education — despite increases in property taxes.

“If we give our kids that good education, they won’t have to worry about not being able to pay their property taxes,” Barry Skillings of 1425 Riverside Drive said. “They’re going to be able to support their grandchildren when it comes to education.”

More than 100 residents filled the council chambers to standing-room only. A handful gathered in side meeting rooms in Auburn Hall to watch Great Falls TV’s live broadcast of the meeting.

The public hearing on the budget lasted for more than 90 minutes, with 26 people speaking. Although the hearing was devoted to a discussion of the entire municipal budget, most focused on the school district. And most spoke overwhelmingly in favor of increasing the school budget.

Councilors are working on a draft municipal budget that calls for a $983,004 increase in spending combined with a $475,768 reduction in non-property tax revenues. Combined, the city-side of the proposed budget would need an additional $1.5 million from property taxes.

School officials have requested a $1.8 million increase in costs combined with a $165,999 reduction in non-property tax revenue. Combined, the schools would need an additional $1.9 million from property taxes.

Combined, the overall budget would require $3.2 million more from property taxes. That amounts to an increase of $1.78 per $1,000 of value increase in property taxes. That’s an increase of about $252 for a $145,000 home.

For the schools, proposed spending increases include adding 16.5 positions districtwide, including a Somali school liaison, a school nurse and four reading teachers, to staff a summer school program. It also includes $90,000 each at Auburn Middle School and Edward Little High School to update technology, curriculum and improve learning.

Council chambers were full of people that agreed with that.

“We cannot continue with a lack of spending and expect any sort of positive results for our children,” Liza Dimitri of 8 Fern St. said.

Local real estate agent Tricia Fletcher, of 240 Fairway Drive, said stingy school spending could hurt city economic development as well.

“People do ask about taxes when they move into a community,” she said. “But they also ask me about the school. It’s really making it difficult for us to sell this community.”

But not everyone favored more school spending. Former City Councilor Ron Potvin said property owners are organized and ready to oppose any school budget that seeks more than 2.1 percent spending increases. Aric Fogg of 240 Park Ave. suggested the city simply not approve a budget increase.

“Can’t we try not spending?” Fogg asked. “I say, let’s do without an increase. Food is more expensive. Oil is more expensive. Now is not the time for us to increase spending.”

Councilors are scheduled to continue discussion of their budget at 5:30 p.m. Thursday with a review of fund balance policy.

staylor@sunjournal.com

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