In an effort to cut a tight budget, city commissioners are going to take a hard look at whether it takes about 1,200 city employees to provide basic services to the community.

Mayor Mike Dever asked staff members at Tuesday evening’s meeting to look at how Lawrence’s employee totals stack up to other cities similar in size and services.

Dever specifically mentioned examining whether new technology could produce labor savings in the water and sewer department and trash collection division of the city.

Talk did not turn to layoffs, but Dever said he was interested in examining reductions of the city’s work force through attrition and retirement.

“I’m asking these type of questions because I feel like that is what I was asked to do when I was elected,” Dever said.

Tuesday’s meeting represented the first time commissioners had an opportunity to discuss City Manager David Corliss’ recommended budget.

Employee totals were a significant part of the discussion. Several commissioners expressed reservations with the one part of the budget that recommends adding positions to the city’s payroll.

Commissioners said they wanted more time to consider a proposal that would add two new city inspectors to expand the city’s rental registration program. The expansion would require all rental units at least 50 years old to undergo a basic life and safety inspection.

Commissioner Sue Hack said she can see potential benefits to the program, but indicated she may want to put the decision off until after the budget.

“I’m feeling like I may not have had as much time to think this through as I would like,” Hack said.

The city budget, as proposed by Corliss, already cuts 15 city positions that currently are vacant. Those positions include a planner, zoning enforcement officers, a municipal court clerk, and five positions within parks and recreation.

Commissioners also addressed major capital improvements included in the budget. Two projects that Corliss recommended be funded faced questions Tuesday.

Approximately $1.3 million to make improvements to the Carnegie Library building at Ninth and Vermont streets, and about $1 million to help the school district rebuild the tennis center near Lawrence High School were mentioned by Commissioner Mike Amyx as projects that perhaps could be cut from the budget.

Overall, Corliss’ recommended budget would reduce the property tax mill levy by one-tenth of a mill, but the budget relies heavily on voters approving in November two new sales taxes that total a half-percent. One sales tax would provide funding for the city’s public transit system, while the other would provide increased funding for infrastructure projects such as street maintenance.

Commissioners will have a study session to dive deeper into the budget at 3 p.m. Monday at City Hall.