LEWISTON – City councilors have been warned that they could face tighter budgets this spring because of proposed state funding cuts.

Finance Director Dick Metivier outlined cuts to city revenue proposed by Gov. John Baldacci last week. In all, efforts to trim the state’s books will mean $530,000 less for the city.

“And keep in mind this doesn’t take other items into account, like the additional costs we’ve had to face because of the economy or potential cuts from excise taxes,” said City Administrator Jim Bennett. “It’s important to know where this is headed.”

The governor outlined a slate of proposed budget cuts last week, including cuts to state revenue sharing and road maintenance. But the budget also calls for cuts of about $549,000 for the state’s business tax program and circuit breaker program for low income residents.

“That doesn’t impact us directly, but it’s that much less money coming to our residents and taxpayers,” Metivier said. “Ultimately, that does come back to us.”

Metivier said the most significant cut would be to revenue sharing from the state’s sales taxes. Baldacci aims to reduce the cities and town’s take from that by 10 percent. Lewiston would get about $430,000 less, he said.

The state is also considering reducing the road funding for fiscal 2011-12 by 20 percent, reducing the city’s share by $96,000.

Voters could also see a plan to reduce the state’s excise tax on the November ballot, which would reduce city revenue by $770,000 if approved.

Councilors were skeptical about the state’s intentions. Councilor Tom Peters was particularly concerned about the state reducing money to pay for repairs and maintenance for state-owned roads.

“If there is going to be a federal stimulus package coming down to help cities and towns, I want do what we can to make sure it actually gets to us,” Peters said. He urged city staff to write a letter to Maine’s senators and representatives to get any federal stimulus money given directly to Maine’s municipalities.

“If it comes to the state first, there’s no telling what it will look like by the time it gets to this level,” Peters said. “It’s imperative that money, if there is any, gets down to our level.”