Cedar Fort has had bragging rights to the lowest municipal tax rate among the 14 north Utah County cities and towns for several years,

It's a distinction Saratoga Springs' elected officials are considering giving back to the small Cedar Valley berg.

Saratoga Springs city leaders are looking at a $1.5 million shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1 in proposed 2008-2009 budget expenses.

"This a serious problem, you have to understand that," Saratoga Springs city manager Ken Leetham said during a May 13 preliminary budget presentation to the council members and Mayor Tim Parker.

"If you are reluctant to raise property taxes than we need to look in other areas," he said. "These are difficult choices to make. This is by far the most difficult budget we've had."

The council will have to approve a final budget by June 22 according to state statute. Residents can find the budget proposal on the city Web site at www.saratoga-springs.net.

The city's total tentative budget is $14.9 million with several items left unfunded such as vacated staff positions that haven't been refilled.

A hike in the city's tax rate, which hasn't been raised since the city's incorporation 10 years ago, would help the municipality meet necessary staffing, operations costs and supply needs.

Several other cities' leaders in north Utah County are planning conservative budgets for the coming fiscal year but their budgets are growing, not shrinking.

The term "belt tightening" has been coined by council members in other communities reflective of the slowed economy in the area.

"It's not belt tightening, it's liposuction," said Saratoga Springs council member Brent Call about his particular city's tentative budget. "I'm not happy about it. I don't think the citizens will be happy ... it is a difficult time. Ken lost sleep over it. We all lost sleep over it."

A down turn in the economy and consequential decline in development revenue for the city has hit Saratoga Springs hard, contributing to the need for a tighter 2008-2009 fiscal budget.

"We looked at our current property tax revenue. Our current property tax revenue doesn't cover a third of the cost of the police department," said assistant manager Spenser Kyle.

Possible future revenue from new commercial growth cannot be figured into the budget until it exists.

"I don't think we're projecting Wal-Mart or Walgreen's coming on as tax revenue," said Councilwoman Denise Kelly. "I don't want to raise property taxes if we're not projecting potential sources of revenue."

The city manager said he struggled particularly with setting a budget for the Saratoga Springs Fire Department.

When the city hired Chief Tim Fay, Leetham planned to hire three captains the following year.

"There are numerous staffing problems in the fire department. He needs these positions filled very badly," Leetham said. "I just want you to know that if we are able to fund any department that we fund three new captains."

Currently, the department has one chief and a certified administrative firefighter.

"We're going to have to hold tight," Leetham said of the future fiscal year. "We are hoping to provide for the community.