PLATTSBURGH -- The City of Plattsburgh will take a different approach to budgeting this year.

Instead of Mayor Donald Kasprzak delivering a budget proposal by Oct. 1, as required by the City Charter, and councilors having three months to review it and make changes, work will be done much sooner and more collaboratively.

Councilor James Calnon (I-Ward 4) suggested that department heads give budget figures for 2009 to Chamberlain Richard Marks by Aug. 31.

The council and the mayor will then hold budget hearings throughout September before coming up with a final template by Oct. 1.

"The process we had, I think, is kind of bizarre, and I think the mayor and council should be working together," said Calnon, who as mayor pro tem is the council budget officer.

Calnon serves on the city's Finance Committee, along with Councilor Chris Jackson (D-Ward 6), the mayor and Marks.

The idea to change the budget process came up at a committee meeting Thursday morning.

Jackson said it may be difficult to squeeze so many budget hearings into one month, but it will alleviate the need for department heads to meet with the mayor first and then again later with the council.

"We're all in this together," Jackson said.

Calnon said the new approach will also give the public more opportunity to provide feedback once the final template is produced.

The council will still have until Jan. 15 to vote on a final spending plan.

The mayor agreed with the new concept.

"I think this will give us a stronger, more solid and fair budget, and everybody will get some input."

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at:

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com