A citizens' group with some ideas on how to save money in Ottawa's proposed 2005 budget presented a report to council, Tuesday night. It received mixed reviews from councillors.

The group says it's found a way to cut $80 million, without a major cut in services.

The Community Budget Advisory Team's proposals:

• It wants a hiring freeze at city hall.
• It wants the city to consider user fees at libraries, and consider shutting some branches.
• It's calling for a reduction in transit spending, or higher fares, and a hold on new bus purchases.
• It's calling into question the need for more paramedics.

Susan Brownrigg-Smith, the team's co-chair, says, "We believe, CBAT believes, that there are efficiency savings within this city that can be achieved without undermining the service levels and the quality of life that we enjoy today."

But several councillors demanded more details from the group Tuesday night, including Coun. Rick Chiarelli.

"How much less do you think we should be funding public libraries in Ottawa?" Chiarelli asked.

Coun. Jacques Legendre said he noticed something missing from the group's report.

"I think you stopped short. I think there are some other savings that you shied away from. Our own staff, in fact, suggested we might, in fact, close a couple of fire stations, saving a couple of million bucks, if I remember right," Legendre said.

But two of the councillors who fought to save those fire stations last year — Jan Harder and Gord Hunter — are among the Community Budget Advisory Team's backers, and contributed from their own office budgets to fund Tuesday night's report.

Mayor Bob Chiarelli, meanwhile, calls the report "conceptual," and says he doesn't think it will have any "significant impact" on this year's budget decisions.

Council will begin debating the budget next week.