AUBURN – Councilors should try to meet with county officials next to discuss their budget, according to one city councilor.

Councilor Eric Samson suggested Auburn meet with county budget officials to discuss financial concerns next year. The meeting would be similar to budget workshops between Lewiston and Auburn councilors.

“We can see where they are and they can see where we are,” Samson said.

Councilors on Monday went over the department budgets for human resources, finance, county taxes and city properties.

The county has assessed the city $1.7 million for fiscal year 2006. That’s $70,000 more than the county charged Auburn in the current year.

Councilors are considering a draft $30.5 million budget that calls for $1.5 million more in spending. That’s a 5.2 percent increase.

Budget discussions continue at 6 p.m. tonight when councilors are scheduled to meet with the Auburn School Committee.