AUBURN — With changes to city ambulance services, cuts to curbside recycling, higher Recreation Department fees and city staffing changes possible, City Manager Clinton Deschene wants to hear from residents.

“I would love to hear what people think,” Deschene said. “We have ideas of what we can cut, and some people say they are good ideas. And some people say they’re not. So that’s what I’m here to find out. What do you think?”

He hosted two sessions Wednesday, one in the afternoon and a second Wednesday night. He’s hosting a special Saturday session, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the City Council chambers of Auburn Hall.

He’s also taking comments and questions in other ways. People can email him at cdeschene@ auburnmaine.gov, leave a note on the city website’s “Say it” feature or drop a printed note in the drop box in the courtyard between Auburn Hall and the Mechanics Row parking garage.

Fran Tierney of New Auburn said the Wednesday afternoon session was just right for him. He works two jobs and never has had the time to attend a city meeting. He’s interested, however.

“This is the first time I’ve been able to be at something like this,” Tierney said. “I’ve lived here for 30, 40 years, and it’s time for some accountability. I mean, you can’t complain unless you get involved. And this was the only time, 1-3 p.m., that I was able to come.”

The City Council is considering a draft 2014-15 budget that calls for $76.5 million in total spending between the city and the schools. That includes $38.6 million in school spending and $37.9 million for city departments.

That would push the tax rate up about $1.05 per $1,000 of property value and the city would collect more than $41 million in property taxes. That would be the city’s highest property tax commitment since it implemented a full property revaluation in 2006.

Property taxes on a $150,000 home would rise by $157.50, based on that proposed budget.

Councilors have said they want to keep any tax increase below the inflation rate. That would require $1.7 million in cuts from the proposed municipal budget and $300,000 from the schools.

“As the city manager, I will say that this budget represents what’s best for the city,” Deschene said. “You can reduce it, but it is going to mean reductions in service.”

Deschene said the city is considering closing the Auburn Hall information desk, sending telephone calls to an answering machine instead of having a person answering them.

Another option is to end curbside recycling collections, saving $225,000.

Tierney had questions about the number of vehicles the city owns, how much fuel and heating oil it uses and how city properties or land could be used to generate revenue for the city. He left the meeting saying he thought Deschene had a good handle on what’s going on.

“He’s doing the best he can,” Tierney said. “It’s a really tough situation.”

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