AUBURN — As the City Council is poised to adopt next year’s $128.4 million spending plan Monday, a few seniors may have a last-minute gripe with how it could impact senior programming.

Joyce Skolnik said she’s encouraging fellow seniors who take advantage of the city’s recreational programs for seniors to show up Monday and voice opposition to a recent staff cut that led to the cancellation of four events scheduled in May.

Skolnik, 80, said she’s lived in Auburn for less than two years, but she regularly attends senior programming that’s offered out of the Auburn Senior Community Center.

“The senior center is a very active part of the Auburn community,” she said, adding that while she’s still able to drive, many other seniors don’t and they depend on the services offered there. “A valuable part of the community seems to be getting cut back.”

City officials said this week that cutting the recreation department position was a tough decision made during budget deliberations in hopes of limiting a property tax increase next year.

According to City Manager Phil Crowell, the eliminated position was funded by a National Recreation and Parks Association grant that is no longer available. He said the position — which had only been in place about five weeks — was requested as part of his proposed fiscal 2026 budget, but due to the difficulty of this budget season, no new programs or services were included in the council’s proposed budget.

As a result of the eliminated staffer, Auburn Recreation Department had to cancel four crafting activities that were being taught by the staff member, impacting 20 people. However, Crowell said the recreation department is looking to collaborate with other providers in order to possibly reinstate similar craft activities.

“Auburn’s senior activities and programs are, and will continue to be, exceptional and contribute to our vibrant, thriving senior community,” he said. “(Auburn) is not only deeply committed to our seniors but as a community, we have invested greatly in our senior residents.”

Crowell said local government staffing requires people to “wear numerous hats to accomplish various tasks,” and that the Auburn Recreation Department often shifts the duties of staff “based on seasonal programming, changing priorities, staff vacancies, and program demands.”

The decision by the council not to pick up the cost of the position comes during a budget year that officials said has been difficult, particularly from the municipal side. If approved as is, the property tax rate will increase by $1.01, to $23.26 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, with the municipal budget accounting for 84 cents of the increase.

Next year’s budget includes the first debt payments for the $45 million public safety building project, which was approved by voters in 2023.

Mayor Jeff Harmon, responding recently to a constituent email he received regarding senior programming, said that even with no new programs or services, the estimated property tax increase for next year was 10% at the start of budget talks.

“To reduce the property tax increase to a more acceptable level, difficult choices needed to be made,” he said. “Budget reductions, including personnel changes, were made across the departments. To the extent possible the current services are being maintained.”

Harmon said that while some recreation programs are being eliminated, senior programming is being maintained and that the recreation department may “deliver the programming in a modified manner with a different mix of staff.”

Harmon also touted the council’s approval of property tax relief for low-income seniors, which he said was “by far, the priority concern that we heard from our senior citizens.”

The Auburn Senior Community Center opened in 2019 following an expansion and renovation of a city-owned building in Pettengill Park that has allowed the city to promote a variety of senior programs. The city has agreements with three senior organizations — Robin Dow, Auburn Senior Citizens and New Auburn Seniors — to provide space, supplies and staffing for assistance with their activities.

The city’s recreation department also operates its own senior programming, which includes bus trips to various attractions across Maine and recreational programs like pickleball, hiking, crafts and yoga.

Crowell said the city plans to send a notice regarding the recent staffing changes and impacts to all registered senior participants.