JOHNSTOWN - Citing the unpredictability of state aid for next year, City Treasurer Michael Gifford on Monday advised the Common Council to wait to adopt the city's 2010 budget - perhaps past the date set by the City Charter.

"My suggestion would be to push the adoption of the budget off as long as you feel comfortable," Gifford said.

Mayor Sarah J. Slingerland already has released her tentative 2010 city budget, which shows a 2.4 percent property tax-rate increase. But in recent weeks, city officials have become increasingly concerned about the state aid picture. Slingerland said the city receives at least $3 million annually in aid from the state.

Gifford has told city officials that if cuts proposed by Gov. David Paterson are realized, Johnstown may have to take a fresh look at trying to trim more out of next year's budget.

The council conducted a public hearing Monday on the tentative budget, and no one spoke.

Since he first heard a few weeks ago there might be state aid cuts, Gifford said, the news out of Albany has been scant.

"We really know nothing more on state aid," the treasurer said.

During a break in the meeting, Slingerland said under the City Charter, the council has to adopt the budget "on or about" Dec. 1. Both she and 2nd Ward Councilman Chris Foss said it is not a hard deadline, and adoption can be delayed if it is deemed necessary for the good of the city.

Slingerland told the council it can wait until as late as Dec. 7 or 21 - dates of scheduled council meetings - to adopt the 2010 city budget. The mayor said the council also could conduct a special emergency meeting in between or around those dates to adopt the budget.

"We'll just work it and decide how we're going to go along," Slingerland said.

The tentative city budget for next year totals $10.1 million in appropriations - up from $9.9 million appropriated for 2009.

Slingerland said the budget allows for a 2.13 percent increase in spending.

The budget calls for a 2.4 percent hike in the property tax rate - an increase of 38 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The city tax rate would rise from $15.98 per $1,000 this year to $16.36 for 2010. Slingerland said a property owner with a home assessed at $100,000 would see his taxes increase by $38 next year, for example.

The tax levy in the city would go up from $3.7 million this year to about $4 million next year. The city plans to use $290,000 of its fund balance in 2010, compared to $301,100 used for 2009.

Expenditures in many city departments are expected to decrease for 2010, including the Department of Public Works - from $2.35 million to $2.29 million.

Michael Anich can be reached by e-mail at johnstown@leaderherald.com.