Augusta commissioners got a closer look Thursday at what a $788,500 cut to the city's recreation department would mean to the community.

During a work session, commissioners focused not only on what to take out but also on what to charge more for next year as spelled out in the spending plan proposed in City Administrator Fred Russell's 2009 budget.

The budget, which Recreation Director Tom Beck helped create, proposes a 10 percent increase in facility rental fees, summer day camp and after-school programs. The increase would provide $71,000 in revenue.

The other $717,500 would come from other cuts, including the closure of eight parks and recreation facilities and elimination of 14 full- and part-time positions.

Without cutting the recreation budget, taxpayers who own a $100,000 house would pay about $55 more in taxes, Mr. Russell said. Without a tax increase or cuts to the department, the commissioners would have to find an additional $3.4 million to balance the budget or cut services across the board.

Commissioner Corey Johnson said many of his constituents in District 2 can handle neither tax increases nor fee increases.

"I have very poor people in my district on fixed incomes," he said. "A raise in taxes would be devastating."

The challenge throughout the session was how to provide the same services without raising taxes, Mr. Russell said.

"It's best for the city to go no lower on the services," he said. "We've cut to the bone again and again and again. That eventually reaches the customer."

Work sessions will continue in the weeks ahead. Commissioners will vote on the budget before the end of the year.