The city of Auburn is facing difficult budget decisions. Years ago, in an attempt to be fiscally responsible, the city adopted a spending cap limiting the city budget increases to no more than the increase in the consumer price index. That has resulted in an absence of a significant discussion on spending priorities. Instead, the city manager is directed to deliver a budget that is within the cap.

The problem is that Auburn’s spending needs have exceeded the cap. The roads are in disrepair and declining. The schools are suffering. Services have been reduced (no clean-up day again).

When the council just uses the cap method of spending instead of appropriate funding, it just kicks the can down the road. The current council has to deal with the consequence of prior councils kicking the can down the road.

When roads aren’t maintained, they need to be rebuilt, which costs much more than maintenance.

When the educational system and services are not maintained, people stop wanting to live here, reducing the tax base.

I love Auburn. I have been an Auburn taxpayer most of my life and kicking the can down the road is making that future look more and more expensive. I hope the current council can find the courage to responsibly fund city government — even if it means exceeding the cap.

Denis Bergeron, Auburn