A novel idea – part publicity stunt and part dare – dreamed up by the prophet of doom himself is worth a try.

Lewiston City Administrator Jim Bennett, knighted with his dubious title by advocates of a tax cap referendum question, will ask the City Council to create an advisory committee to review the budget and develop ideas for balancing the books in the event the tax restrictions pass.

Bennett is a major opponent of the proposed tax cap, which would limit the mill rate to $10 for every $1,000 of assessed value while rolling back values to their 1997 levels. As Bennett correctly predicts, the cap would cripple municipal government, threaten schools and sharply curtail important services, including police and fire protection. He may be a prophet of doom, but he’s also a seer when it comes to the calamitous effects the tax cap will have.

Supporters of the referendum, wrongly, claim there’s plenty of room in municipal government for reducing the mill rate without greatly affecting important services. Here’s their chance to show how.

If the City Council follows through on Bennett’s idea, the panel of seven to nine members of the community would hold televised meetings and present a report in October, on the eve of the Nov. 2 election, explaining how to fund city government. Council members, city staff and people who serve on the community boards would not be eligible. The goal is to create an independent group.

The exercise is worthwhile. The committee would get the opportunity to look at the nuts and bolts of the budget and make suggestions for trimming “the fat” right out. Of course, the budget is public information and tax cut advocates can already look at it line by line and present alternatives. They just haven’t. Now they’ll have the spotlight to prove their point.

The tax cap is a terrible idea. Bennett’s gambit is that once residents actually look at the numbers and consider the consequences of reduced city revenue, they’ll realize that for themselves.

Publicity stunt or not, this challenge could help educate voters about the impact of the tax cap. And informed voters make better decisions.

Above the law

AVCOG should not be above the law. It’s that simple.

The Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments owes Auburn about $25,000 in unpaid taxes from last year. The organization, supported by a majority of the City Council, refuses to pay.

Instead, AVCOG plans to petition the state Legislature to change the law governing the tax status of quasi-governmental organizations. The move is legitimate. Any person or organization has the right – in fact, the obligation – to work to change laws that they believe are bad. It might be reasonable to argue that AVCOG should be exempt from property taxes, although we’re not so sure. But as it stands, the law and the city’s professional staff say AVCOG owes the taxes.

No one has the right to disobey the law while they are working for its overhaul. Essentially, that’s what AVCOG plans to do: Ignore the tax bill and try to use its clout with politicians to change the rules.

The Council of Governments does good work for Auburn and other member communities. But that doesn’t excuse its obligation.

We support Councilwoman Belinda Gerry’s plan for Auburn to withhold its dues, which total about $18,000 a year, until the tax question is resolved. We are also aware that the majority on the City Council will block the move. They’ve already cast their lot with AVCOG.