The charter states that an ordinance must be introduced by being placed on the agenda and then published on the city Web site and in the newspaper when required along with a date of a public hearing. After a public hearing, council may adopt or amend the ordinance.

It doesn’t mention anything about first or second readings, McConnell noted.

The city is continuing to follow practices required under the old system, McConnell said.

The switch to the new government changes a lot of things in the city.

“We’re muddling through it,” Heutsche said of the changeover.

The charter made changes to the ordinance procedure and the council election cycle, eliminates fringe benefits for council and makes updates to the city Web site a requirement.

It allows council to raise earned income taxes beyond the state cap if they reduce real estate taxes by a corresponding amount. It eliminates the job of the elected mayor and treasurer and replaces them with a hired financial officer and city manager, who needs to be hired before Lucas’ term is up in Jan. 2010.

Lucas proposed a $7.65 million budget for 2009 with a tax rate of 43.5 mills. Lucas also projected the city could have an $840,000 fund balance at the end of this year.

Connelly Friday said he voted “no” on the budget because he had a lot of questions about it and didn’t see why a tax increase was needed if the city may have an extra $840,000 lying around.

“At this time I think everyone on council is opposed to it,” Heutsche said. “Nobody wants a four mill tax increase.”

“One way or another before (taxes) go up, it has to have four votes,” Connelly said.

Budget hearings are set for 4:30 p.m. Nov. 26 and Dec. 8 at the city building.

The city’s entire budget proposal is available online at: www.cityofsharon.net