AUBURN – Property values are still on Auburn residents minds, councilors learned Monday night.

“I find it hard to believe that property values are dropping all over the county, but not in Auburn,” said Tim Doughty of 75 Cherry Vale Circle. “What, did we sprinkle the city with some kind of magical dust or something?”

Doughty was one of about 20 residents who attended a City Council meeting Monday night devoted to hearing citizen comments. It was a continuation of the meetings the city hosted in each ward two years ago.

Doughty told councilors he wanted to see Auburn’s property values reduced, taking property tax bills along with them. Renee Lachapelle, one of the city’s assessors, said property values have started to come down slightly, and that should be included in the next state valuation.

But Auburn’s values have held steady since a 2005 revaluation.

“Some properties are down, but some are up,” she said. “They tend to be in balance.”

Lou Morneau of 63 Clover Lane said he knows of properties that sold for $150,000 four years ago, but can’t sell for $120,000 today.

“Real estate is all about timing, I know, but that has to mean something,” Morneau said. “When we revalued our properties at the peak value, it shifted the burden to residents. It should shift back.”

But councilors said property values concerned them as well. Councilor Mike Farrell said he knew of several foreclosures in Auburn. Mayor John Jenkins promised that councilors and staff were doing their part by making sure city spending was as low as possible.

But it wasn’t enough for Doughty.

“You need to understand that we are in a recession, and value is value,” he said. “That means the mill rate is the mill rate. We need help.”

If budgets need to be cut, don’t do it in the schools.

“Spend our money on the schools, on the police and fire and cut the special little things we don’t need,” said Natalie Raye of New Auburn. Raye questioned spending money to repair and repaint the mural-covered wall along Main Street at New Auburn’s entrance.

“Everyone is freaking out about money, about not having credit,” Raye said. “So spend our money wisely. Spend it on the schools, police and fire and fix the roads.”

Laurie Tannebaum of 36 Lake St. urged councilors to approve whatever budget school officials presented.

“I understand that times are different but education has to be a priority, one of those things we cannot skimp,” she said. “Don’t go back and ask the schools to cut more. Accept what they want at face value.”

Councilor Ron Potvin, the council’s representative to the school board, said he thinks the budget the school presents will be fair.

“I don’t see myself recommending any more cuts to schools,” Potvin said. “I think they’ve done a good job so far.”