Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan says cutting personnel may be the only way to help ease a tax hike.

The increase in the proposed 2009 budget amounts to about 17 percent for homeowners, and 18 percent for businesses.

Ryan joined us live in our studio at 5:00 to talk about possible solutions to bringing the numbers down.

One of the city's major expenses is state pension costs.

"There's been some talk about capping those pension costs, that would help greatly. But we can't rely on that. That's why in my budget address we have to look closely at the only costs we control. And unfortunately that's personnel costs."says Ryan.

Ryan also says the city would like to pay it's work force a decent wage and benefits, but says that it is one of the few places they can make cuts.

His budget proposal is now in the hands of City Council.

Council has been meeting with Department heads about additional cuts.